Associated British Ports (ABP) has installed four new pinning stations at Immingham port in an effort to increase safety in container loading. These stations, along with four additional stations to be installed at Hull port, are recognized as key infrastructure for loading operations.
Details of the New Pinning Stations
Pinning operations are considered one of the biggest risks in busy ports. In this operation, workers must detach the twist locks from all four corners of the container that is on the trailer. The new stations are located at a distance from the ship and in a designated area that protects workers from overhead hazards and moving vehicles. These stations also feature red and green lights indicating when container transfer vessels can safely enter the pinning area.
Focus on Safety in Station Design
Jamie Pearson, Head of the Loading Unit (Humber) at ABP stated: “Our priority at the Humber container ports is safety, and by carefully assessing the need to eliminate existing hazards, the new stations fulfill this role well.” This new system also eliminates the risk of twist locks being left on the ground, which could pose hazards for vessels and workers. The stations are designed so that workers can easily access the locks from inside the station.
Grimsby Pipework & Engineering Ltd (GPE) successfully constructed these stations by conducting a field survey of the area and designing custom stations. Mike Hemsworth, CEO of GPE, takes pride in working closely with ABP to design and produce these stations, stating: “This project showcases the capabilities resulting from strong collaboration, precise engineering, and a focus on worker protection.”
The ports of Hull and Immingham are recognized as the main gateways in northern England for container traffic with Europe and the Baltic, accommodating over 24 vessels per week. These ports collectively manage over 5,500 container units each week.
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