Field of disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicles for storing container ship hatch covers and method of unloading and loading a container ship using such vehicles.

Background

[0002] International trade relies on transport of goods by sea, such as in cargo, or freight, ships. Transfer of goods from sea to land, or from land to sea, can be time consuming and port facilities have been developed to improve the efficiency of loading and unloading ships.

[0003] Many container ships are able to store containers in one or more holds located within the hull of the ship as well as on the deck of the ship. Hatches give access to the containers or other cargo in the hold, and hatch covers are placed over the hatches to allow containers to be stored on the deck while keeping sea water out of the hold. Different types of hatch covers have been developed, including folding hatch covers, rolling hatch covers and lifting (or lift away) hatch covers. Folding hatch covers and rolling hatch covers remain attached to the ship, but are either folded or rolled out of the way to provide access to the hatch. Both folding and rolling hatch covers require additional mechanisms to provide access to the hatch.

[0004] A lifting hatch arrangement does not require additional mechanisms in the ship and does not require space on the vessel into which the hatch cover can fold or roll. When unloading or loading containers or other cargo at the port facility (or container terminal) the hatches must be removed and stored during the process of unloading/loading the holds.

[0005] In many containers terminals, ship to shore cranes are provided on the quayside, which can be positioned and repositioned along the vessel length to unload and load containers from each hold of the vessel using a spreader or other suitable means. The most frequent type of crane is the ship to shore gantry crane (SSGC) running on rails with a gauge of 25 to 35m, with waterside hinged strutted twin mono-box boom reaching out over the widest vessel which can be

accommodated at the berth. Over the quay the boom extends beyond the SSGC crane rails forming a back-reach boom of 20 to 30m. One or more trolleys operate along the boom.

[0006] Once containers have been removed from the deck of a ship, and a hatch cover has been completely uncovered, the hatch cover must be removed to access the cargo in the hold. Similarly, once the hold is full, a hatch cover must be put in place to allow containers to be stored thereon. Hatch covers can weigh up to 50 tonnes each and removing and replacing the hatch cover is typically done using the same crane used to unload/load the containers and other cargo.

[0007] Ultra Large Container Vessels, ULCVs, typically have four covers (occasionally five covers) over each of the central holds, although the number can reduce to 3 covers per hold where the vessel narrows at the prow and the stem-most holds have no covers. Each vessel will likely have a slightly different lay-out, but generally a single hatch cover can be lifted off the vessel as soon as it is cleared of the containers stacked upon it and could if operational needs required be returned in advance of other hatches being cleared. Hatch covers can weigh up to 50 tonnes, and measure in the region of l.8m high and can have a footprint of l4m (perpendicular to the quayside) by between 12.8m and l4m (parallel to the quayside), although sizes vary depending on the ship.

[0008] Conventionally, a hatch cover is removed from a ship by using a container

spreader as the hoist on a crane. Once removed from a ship, hatch covers cannot be readily transported at ground level without disrupting a vessel unloading operation. Hatch covers are therefore stored on the ground under the crane in a designated area to suit the terminal operations, often under the back reach, so that they can be readily moved by the crane. Since the covers have a large footprint, storing the hatch covers under the crane creates a large zone on the dock apron that cannot then be used by land based vehicles, for example to move unloaded containers or other cargo away from the berth. [0009] The footprint can be reduced by stacking hatch covers on top of each other, but there remains a large unusable section of the apron that can affect dock-side traffic and reduce the efficiency of unloading/loading processes. Further, hatches on a ship are not interchangeable and need to be returned to the same location.

Accordingly, the order of the stack dictates the order that the hatch covers must be returned to the ship.

[0010] The number of standard SSGCs operating in close proximity to a ULCV or similar vessel means that when hatch covers are placed in the designated area, there is insufficient room on the apron (i.e. between the cranes and hatch covers) for vehicles to safely pass therebetween. Therefore the normal route for horizontal transporters is to use a one-way corridor with up to six lanes of trailers queuing under the crane hooks between the legs. This could be more efficient if another one way corridor was available under the back-reach. However, space for additional one way corridors is limited by the presence of hatch covers.

[0011] In some newer container terminals where container block stacks might be set perpendicular to the quay side, the designated stacking area for the hatch covers is often located between the legs of the ship-to-shore gantry (SSGC). This permits loading and unloading of containers in the back-reach, and reduces the travel distance for vehicles, such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) or Automated Lifting Vehicles (ALVs), operating between the SSGC crane and the loading /unloading aprons at the ends of the stacks, for example when AGVs and/or ALVs move cargo away from the apron to a marshalling yard. While this avoids obstacles under the back-reach, there still exists an obstacle on the apron, and movement of the land based container transport equipment is limited by the hatch covers.

[0012] The Container Vessel Fast Transhipment System (COFASTRANS) project

proposes a wide rail gauge ship-to-shore portal crane (SSPC), for example l29m, spanning a dock (http://www.cofastrans.com/). The proposal allows for three loading lanes on either side of the dock (three lanes having a total width of l6.2m) between the crane legs with a further 3 lanes under the 2 back-reach cantilevers.

As the clear gap between SSPC units working sequentially will generally be over 50m, safe rail crossing zones for automated vehicles can be included in movement planning. This allows a ship to be unloaded from two sides at the same time, and therefore improves efficiency, but the problem of storage of hatch covers remains with the COFASTRANS or other such system.

[0013] In light of the above, there remains a need to minimise the effect hatch cover storage has on an unloading/loading operation of a container ship, and to thereby improving the efficiency of the unloading/loading operation.

Means for solving the problem

[0014] To overcome the problems detailed above, the inventors have devised novel and inventive apparatus and techniques. A broad description will be given of specific aspects of the invention. Preferred features of the specific aspects are set out in the dependent claims.

[0015] In a preferred aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle adapted to store hatch covers from a container ship, comprising a gantry for supporting at least one hatch cover from a container ship and a motor operable to cause the at least one hatch cover from a first location to a second location, which is different from the first location.

[0016] Advantageously, hatch covers lifted off of a container ship can be offloaded

directly onto the vehicle. The hatch covers can be moved away from a working area of the apron so as to avoid obstructing traffic lanes and crane hoists. A container ship can therefore be loaded and unloaded faster and more efficiently.

[0017] In some aspects, the motor of a vehicle is operable to move the vehicle.

[0018] In some aspects, a vehicle comprises a first trolley on the gantry, the first trolley adapted to support the at least one hatch cover and being operable to be driven, by the motor, between the first location and the second location. Preferably, the vehicle further comprises a second motor to move the vehicle.

[0019] More preferably, the gantry of a vehicle comprises an upper level and a lower level, the first trolley being on the upper level of the gantry, and wherein the vehicle further comprises a second trolley on the lower level of the gantry. Advantageously, a vehicle with an upper and lower level for a gantry can store more hatch covers without increasing the footprint of the vehicle, while also allowing access to hatch covers on one level independently of hatch covers on the other level.

[0020] Preferably, the first location is a first hatch cover loading area and the second location is a first hatch cover storage area, and the vehicle further comprising a second hatch cover loading area and a second hatch cover storage area; and another trolley movable between the second hatch cover loading area and the second hatch cover storage area.

[0021] Preferably, the first location is a first hatch cover loading area and the second location is a first hatch cover storage area, the vehicle further comprising a third hatch cover loading area, and wherein the first trolley is movable between the third hatch cover loading area and the first hatch cover storage area.

[0022] Preferably, the gantry includes a container storage area. Advantageously, a

container off loaded from a on top of a hatch cover of a ship can be stored on the gantry so as to avoid storing that container on the apron if there is no apparatus immediately ready to remove that container. This avoids blockages to transport lanes and avoids congestion, which itself improves the efficiency of a process of loading/offloading a container ship.

[0023] Preferably, the gantry has a ground clearance of at least 5.7m. More preferably, the gantry has a ground clearance of between 5.7m and l4m. Vehicles, such as AGVs and ALVs, can therefore pass beneath the gantry. This minimises the distance that the hatch covers must move as the vehicle can straddle a transport lane, thereby storing one or more hatch covers in the footprint of the transport lane without hindering movement of dock-side vehicles (such as the AGVs and ALVs).

[0024] In a preferred aspect, the present invention relates to a method of unloading a container ship, comprising unloading containers from the deck of a container ship, using a crane, to a container loading area beneath a boom of the crane on a quayside; removing a hatch cover from the container ship using the crane, and placing the removed hatch cover on a gantry of a vehicle for supporting hatch covers; moving the removed hatch cover away from the container loading area using the vehicle for supporting hatch covers. Advantageously, the hatch covers can be moved away from a working area of the apron, by the vehicle for supporting hatch covers, so as to avoid obstructing traffic lanes and crane hoists.

A container ship can therefore be loaded and unloaded faster and more efficiently.

[0025] Preferably, placing the removed hatch cover on a vehicle includes placing the hatch cover on a first trolley that is on top of the vehicle at a first hatch cover loading area, and moving the hatch cover includes moving the trolley from the first hatch cover loading area to a first hatch cover storage area on top of the vehicle.

[0026] Preferably, placing the removed hatch cover on a vehicle includes placing the hatch cover on a first trolley that is on top of the vehicle at a first hatch cover loading area, the method further comprising removing another hatch cover using the crane and placing the other hatch cover on a second trolley that is on top of the vehicle at a second hatch cover loading area.

[0027] Preferably, moving the removed hatch cover includes moving the removed hatch cover to a position on a line running parallel to the edge of the quayside and through a leg of the crane.

[0028] Preferably, the crane has a boom either side of a crane leg, and moving the

removed hatch cover includes moving the removed hatch cover to a position on a line running perpendicular to the edge of the quayside and through the crane leg.

[0029] Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention are described without limitation below, with reference to the accompanying figures.

Brief description of the drawings

[0030] Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention are described without limitation below, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0031] Figure 1 depicts a side view of a hatch cover vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. [0032] Figure 2 depicts an end view of the hatch cover vehicle of Fig. 1.

[0033] Figure 3 depicts a plan view of a hatch cover vehicle according to another

embodiment of the invention.

[0034] Figure 4 depicts a view through line A-A of Fig. 3.

[0035] Figure 5 depicts a view through line B-B of Fig. 3.

[0036] Figure 6 depicts a view through line C-C of Fig. 3.

[0037] Figure 7 depicts a view through line D-D of Fig. 3.

[0038] Figure 8A shows a block diagram of a method of unloading a container ship.

[0039] Figure 8B shows a block diagram of a method of loading a container ship.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0040] The present invention relates to a hatch cover vehicle for safely storing hatch covers from container ships in a time-efficient manner, and to ship-to-shore equipment including at least one crane and a hatch cover vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, a hatch cover vehicle has a frame supporting a gantry, on which hatch covers can be supported, and a movement system to allow the hatch cover vehicle to move the hatch cover away from loading areas directly beneath a crane hook/spreader. The gantry has sufficient ground clearance that land based container transport equipment, such as AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicle), ALVs (Automated Lift Vehicle) and trailers, can operate beneath the gantry. The hatch cover vehicle can move hatch covers on top of a gantry of the hatch cover vehicle from a first position to a second position. This allows land based container transport equipment more space to manoeuvre and thereby improves the efficiency of the ship to shore unloading/loading process.

[0041] A hatch cover vehicle 1 is able to store lift off hatch covers that have been

removed from the ship by a crane. The hatch cover vehicle 1 can operate with any crane suitable for removing and replacing hatch covers. Typically, such cranes also unload and load containers and other cargo. The hatch cover vehicle 1 is particularly advantageous when used in ship-to-shore equipment that includes at least one ship-to-shore gantry crane (SSGC) as the legs of such cranes and the water line (i.e. the cope of the dock) define a limited apron that can be used for the unloading and loading processes. It is therefore advantageous to keep the apron as free as possible from obstacles. In the COFASTRANS arrangement, ship-to- shore equipment includes a SSPC having two booms mounted between two legs, with one leg on either side of a berth, such as in the arrangement shown in WO2017/071736 Al the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0042] Hatch Cover Vehicle

[0043] The hatch cover storage vehicle 1 (HCV 1) includes a frame that supports a gantry

3. In the arrangement of Figs. 1 and 2, the frame is a two sided frame with supports 2a and 2b with the gantry therebetween. Each support 2a, 2b comprises two column legs linked at the base by a beam and secured at the head to the soffit of a rectangular gantry frame 3. The base of the side supports 2a, 2b includes a drive system 4, such as a motor and wheels driven by the motor, to allow the hatch cover vehicle, HCV 1, to move at least parallel to the cope of the berth (i.e. an edge of a quayside). The drive system 4 of the HCV 1 can comprise pneumatic tyres (i.e. as a Rubber Tyred Gantry, RTG) or a bogie train for wheels adapted to run on flush rails (i.e. as a Rail Mounted Gantry, RMG). To maintain stability, in some aspects, the HCV 1 spans over more than one loading lane on a dock apron to maintain stability. Preferably, the HCV1 spans over three lanes (i.e. the clear span between the side supports of the HCV 1 is more than l6m wide, such as 16.2m wide) and is, including the access walkways, up to l8m long (i.e. parallel to the edge of the quayside when in use). The HCV 1 units can operate between the crane legs and/or under the cantilever back-reach depending upon the terminal preference.

[0044] The soffit (i.e. the underside) of the gantry 3 is at a height such that land based container transport equipment can travel beneath the gantry 3 of the hatch cover vehicle 1. In some aspects, the gantry 3 is at least 5.7m above ground level (i.e. the soffit is at least 5.7m high). This allows Automated Guided Vehicles, AGVs, (or Automated Container Transport Vehicles, ACTVs) and trailers to pass beneath the gantry 3. It is more preferable that the gantry 3 is at least 1 lm above ground level, thereby also allowing, for example, Automated Lifting Vehicles, ALVs, to operate beneath the gantry 3. In practice, the height of the gantry 3 is limited by the height of the hoist (hook, spreader or hopper) of the crane - the gantry 3 should not interfere with the movement of the hoist along the boom of the crane. Accordingly, a maximum height clearance to the underside of soffit of the gantry 3 over the ground can be l4m.

[0045] As can be seen in Fig. 1, the drive system 4 for a side support 2a, 2b can comprise a plurality of wheels affixed to a wheel train 5. In some aspects, the HCV1 wheel train 5 are pneumatic or solid tyred mounted singly or in tandem travelling along a runway beam (similar to an RTG) or are flanged steel wheels in pairs in bogie trains travelling along raised or recessed trackways similar to a RMG. Other arrangements are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure, such as caterpillar tracked arrangements. A control station 6 is positioned on one of the side supports 2a to provide a user control over the movement of the hatch cover vehicle 1 and, where appropriate, any other functions of the hatch cover vehicle 1.

[0046] In addition, access means to reach the gantry 3, or a walkway 7 around the gantry

3 is provided. In Fig. 1, access to the gantry 3 or walkway around the gantry 3 extends from a platform 8 above the drive system 4, with access to that platform 8 being provided by a ladder. Fig. 1 shows access to the gantry 3 by way of stairs. Other ways to access the platform 8, such as stairs or an elevator, and the gantry 3, such as a ladder or an elevator, will be apparent to a skilled reader and are within the scope of the invention. The other side support 2b does not include a control station 6, but in some aspects still includes access to the gantry 3.

[0047] From the front view shown in Fig. 2 the HCV 1 has clearance between the two side supports 2a, 2b to allow land based container transport equipment to move between the side supports 2a, 2b. Allowing land based container transport equipment to move between the side supports 2a, 2b avoids the footprint of the hatch covers 9 being un-useable to the land based container transport equipment.

In arrangements where only a single vehicle can pass beneath the gantry 3 at one time, traffic flow can be regulated to improve efficiency, for example with a one way system. [0048] An HCV 1 will position the gantry 3 over a container loading area when awaiting a hatch cover. As the container loading area is beneath a boom of a crane, a hoist of a crane can lower a hatch cover 9 onto the gantry 3 of the HCV 1. Once one or more hatch covers 9 have been placed on the gantry 3 as a hatch cover stack, the hatch cover vehicle 1 travels the minimum distance to take the hatch cover stack clear of the crane boom operation. This allows the hatch covers 9 to remain on- hand for when they are to be replaced, while improving the efficiency, in terms of time and mechanical work, for the process.

[0049] When used with a two boom crane, such as in the arrangement shown in

WO2017/071736 Al, the hatch cover vehicle 1 preferably positions the hatch covers 9 proximate the crane leg 10 and on a line that extends perpendicular to the edge of the quayside 19 and through a portal crane leg 10. With the vehicle hatch cover 1 in such a location, the side supports 2a, 2b do not restrict movement of land based container transport equipment more than the crane leg 10 itself.

[0050] Typically, ULCV have four or five hatch covers over each central hold, which each weigh between 40 and 50 tonnes. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hatch cover vehicle 1 is able to store up to two hatch covers 9, stacked on top of one another on the gantry 3. Accordingly, a maximum of three hatch cover vehicles 1 would be sufficient to store the hatch covers 9 for one hold of a ULCV with up to six hatch covers 9. In some arrangements, the HCV 1 is able to store three or more hatch covers. The number of HCV 1 units will depend upon the number of cranes operating over the vessel, the way the vessel is loaded and adjusting operating sequence of the quay cranes so that the removal of hatch covers is phased. In some cases when all of the hatch covers are to be removed from a hold one or more of the hatch covers may be left in place or returned to the vessel during this operation. If needed, more HCVs may be provided.

[0051] Hatch Cover Loading Area and Hatch Cover Storage Area

[0052] In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, the HCV 1 is a rectangular gantry 3 with two hatch cover storage areas 12. The arrangement shown in Fig. 3 also comprises four hatch cover loading areas 11. This arrangement is therefore particularly suited for use with a double-boom crane, such as that described in

WO2017/071736 Al, which comprises two booms, one either side of the leg 10.

[0053] In the arrangement described above, hatch covers 9 are placed on a hatch cover loading area of the HCV 1, and are then stored in that area. In some

arrangements, however, the HCV 1 includes a hatch cover loading area 11 and a hatch cover storage area 12. The hatch cover loading area 11 is distinct from the hatch cover storage area 12. Both the loading area 11 and the storage area 12 are on the gantry 3. A trolley or carrier 13 is provided to move a hatch cover 9 between the loading area 11 and the storage area 12. Preferably, the trolley 13 is moved between the hatch cover loading area 11 and the hatch cover storage area 12 by a cable drive or other motor driven means, such as hydraulic rams or winch and cables system. The movement of the trolley 13 is preferably driven by a power source, such as a motor or generator, on the HCV 1 (for example, the winches are powered by a power source on the HCV 1). This allows the HCV 1 to fit to any type of crane. In some arrangements, the movement of the trolley 13 is driven by a power source on the crane. Advantageously, this keeps the cost of the HCV 1 down and is particularly advantageous when the HCV 1 fits around the crane leg 10 as the HCV 1 and the crane will move together.

[0054] At the loading area 11 of the HCV 1 the gantry 3 has a gap 14 sufficiently sized at a position under the boom to allow containers to pass through the gantry 3 to a container loading area on the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the gap through the gantry 3 at the hatch cover loading area is l5m by 16.3m.

[0055] The l5m dimension is large enough such that standard length intermodal

containers, which are either 20ft (6. lm) or 40ft (12.2m) long can be lowered through the gap 14 with an additional margin for safety, while still bracing the gantry 3 of the HCV 1 to maintain structural rigidity. The gantry 3 of HCV 1 does not, therefore, impede a process of unloading or loading containers and/or other cargo using the crane. That dimension could be reduced, as long as an intermodal container can fit lengthwise through the gap 14. The dimension can also be increased depending on circumstances. [0056] In container terminals where wider forms of horizontal transport (such as ALV) are used, the fore-apron (i.e. the apron between the crane leg and the edge of the quayside) can be divided into three traffic loading lanes, each typically with a width of 5m. It will be appreciated that the width of traffic loading lanes can vary based on, for example, the type of equipment using a lane, and that the traffic loading lanes are not necessarily the same width (although it is preferable that the traffic loading lanes all of a width to accommodate the widest operating vehicle). The 16.3m dimension is sufficient to span three traffic lanes on the apron with a suitable safety margin between the lanes. In a preferred arrangement, the trolley (or carrier) 13 runs on rails mounted on the gantry 3 either side of the gap 14 and extending into the hatch cover loading area 11 and the hatch cover storage area 12. The trolley 13 therefore spans the gap 14. In scenarios where more or fewer lanes of traffic are desired, the size of this dimension can be changed.

[0057] Hatch covers 9 can be placed, by a crane, on a trolley 13 in the hatch cover

loading area 11 and then moved to the hatch cover storage area 12. When the hatch covers 9 are to be replaced on a ship, the trolley 13 moves the hatch cover 9 from the storage area 12 to the loading area 11, whereupon it is retrieved by a hoist (hook or spreader) of the crane. When in use, the hatch cover loading area 11 of the HCV 1 is positioned such that it is beneath the hoist of the crane, and the hatch cover storage area 12 of the HCV 1 is positioned such that it is not beneath the hoist of a crane. Preferably, the hatch cover storage area 12 of the HCV 1 is not beneath the boom of the crane (i.e. it is laterally offset from the boom).

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the trolley 13 is movable parallel, or substantially parallel, to the edge of the quayside (i.e. in the same direction as the lateral movement of the crane) to move the hatch cover 9 away from the loading area 11. In other arrangements, such as when the hatch cover loading area 11 is beneath the back-reach of the crane and the hatch cover storage area 12 is beyond the back-reach of the crane, the trolley 13 movement will preferably still be parallel to the edge of the quayside 19. However, in some arrangements, the movement may be perpendicular to the edge of the quayside 19 (for example, the trolley 13 may move the hatch cover or hatch cover stack away from the edge of the quayside). [0059] The trolley 13 is able to support one or more hatch covers 9, and can move the hatch covers 9 away from a container loading area associated with the crane without the need to move the hatch cover vehicle 1 relative to the crane. A hoist (hook, spreader or hopper) of the crane can then lower containers and/or other cargo through the gap 14 of the HCV 1 gantry 3 to the apron for removal by land based container transport equipment. As the HCV 1 does not move relative to the leg 10 of the crane, there is no need to close lanes of traffic on the apron while the hatch cover 9 is being moved away from or into a hatch cover loading area 11. When unloading a container ship, the crane can continue to remove containers and/or other cargo from a hold of the ship and land based container transport equipment can position themselves while the hatch cover 9 is being moved away from the loading area 11.

[0060] A stack of hatch covers 9 can be stored in the hatch cover storage area 12 of the

HCV 1. If there is already a hatch cover 9 on the trolley 13 in the storage area 12, the HCV 1 can position the trolley 13 in the hatch cover loading area 11 while the hoist of the crane removes a second hatch cover 9 from the container ship. That second hatch cover 9 can then be stacked on top of the hatch cover 9 that is already on top of the trolley 13, before the HCV 1 relocates the trolley 13 to the hatch cover storage area 12.

[0061] Further, as the HCV 1 does not move relative to the crane leg 10, the gantry 3 of the HCV 1 can have supports 16 that contact the crane leg 10, or the foot 17 of the crane leg 10, to strengthen the gantry 3 (e.g. on a line that extends perpendicularly from the cope through the crane leg). Such an arrangement can be seen in Fig. 5, which shows a section through line B-B of Fig. 3, and Fig. 6, which shows a a section through line C-C of Fig. 3. The hatch covers 9 are preferably stored at a point of the gantry 3 strengthened by the supports 16 under the hatch covers 9.

[0062] In use with a double-boom crane, two hatch cover loading areas 11 would be located beneath each boom. With such an arrangement, a hoist associated with each boom could remove a hatch cover 9. Both hatch covers 9 can be stored on the HCV 1 without moving the HCV 1 relative to the crane and without obstructing land based container transport equipment. This allows for flexibility in the unloading process, which can then give rise to improved efficiency in terms of the time it takes to unload/load a container ship. For example, when hatch covers 9 are stored in a conventional stack, they would have to be replaced on the ship in reverse order from how they were removed. With two trolleys 13, each able to store one or more hatch covers 9, the restriction on the order to replace hatch covers 9 is reduced.

[0063] The gantry 3 of the HCV 1 shown in Fig. 3 fits as a collar around the leg 10 of a crane. The gantry 3 is 46m long in the direction of the edge of the quayside and 43m perpendicular to the edge of the quayside. Other arrangements are possible, for example the platform may be square. The soffit of the gantry 3 is at height clear of the loading lane traffic. In some aspects, the gantry 3 is at least 5.7m above ground level (i.e. the soffit is at least 5.7m high). This allows Automated Guided Vehicles, AGVs, (or Automated Container Transport Vehicles, ACTVs) and trailers to pass beneath the gantry 3. It is more preferable that the gantry 3 is at least 1 lm above ground level, thereby also allowing, for example, Automated Lifting Vehicles, ALVs, to operate beneath the gantry 3.

[0064] With the hatch cover vehicle 1 that fits around the leg 10 of a crane, the centre of the gantry 3 of the hatch cover vehicle 1 can be supported by that leg 10 of the crane (SSPC). This allows a larger gantry 3 without compromising the ability to store multiple hatch covers 9. In Figs. 3 and 5, the centre of the HCV 1 frame is supported off the SSPC bogie train by two HCV legs at either end and centrally by low friction bearing pads set close to the SSPC leg 10. The sides of the HCV 1 include side supports 2a, 2b, which may each comprise four legs supported on pneumatic tyres. In some arrangements, the legs are supported on bogies 5 that are themselves on a rail. In some arrangements, the side supports 2a, 2b include a different number of HCV legs.

[0065] In arrangements where the HCV 1 frame is supported by the SSPC bogie train, the

HCV 1 does not require its own drive motors to move along the apron. Instead, the HCV 1 is pushed by the SSPC against low friction pads. In other

arrangements, the HCV 1 includes its own motors for movement. For example, if the motive force needs to be enhanced servo motors can be added to the corner leg wheels of the side supports 2a, 2b.

[0066] In some arrangements, the HCV 1 includes one hatch cover loading area 11 and two hatch cover storage areas 12. Each hatch cover storage area 12 has an associated trolley 13, and one trolley 13 can be moved into the hatch cover loading area 11 at any one time.

[0067] In some arrangements, the HCV 1 includes one hatch cover loading area 11 per hatch cover storage area 12. When there are two hatch cover storage areas 12, for example, the HCV 1 forms a‘IT shape when viewed from above (i.e. a rectangle with a slot removed), and fits around the leg 10 of a crane (i.e. the crane fits within the slot).

[0068] In the arrangements shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the gantry 3 of the HCV 1 has a

container storage area 18 elevated above the apron. In use, that elevated container storage area 18 is located between the crane leg 10 and the berth (or quayside).

The container storage area 18 on the HCV 1 may be a planar surface on which cargo (such as containers) may be placed. In the preferred embodiment, containers can be placed in the container storage area 18 of the HCV 1 instead of storing them on the apron, which would block traffic lanes.

[0069] Two Level Gantry

[0070] The gantry 3 of a HCV 1 that uses a trolley 13 to move hatch covers 9 from a loading area 11 to a hatch cover storage area 12 can be separated into two levels 15’, 15”. A hatch cover loading area 1 la’, 1 lb’ of the upper level 15’ will be directly above the hatch cover loading area 1 la”, 1 lb” of a lower level 15”.

Similarly, the hatch cover storage area 12’ of the upper level 15’ will be directly above the hatch cover storage area 12” of a lower level 15”. Both the upper level 15’ and the lower level 15” has an associated trolley 13’, 13” that can move between a hatch cover loading area 1 la’, 1 lb’, 1 la”, 1 lb” and the hatch cover storage area 12’, 12”. Two hatch covers 9 can therefore be stored on the HCV 1, one on each trolley 13’, 13”, with both being readily accessible and there is no need to remove a top hatch cover 9 to retrieve the bottom hatch cover 9 for replacement on the ship. If more than two hatch covers 9 are stored on the HCV 1, it is preferred that one hatch cover 9 is stored on the trolley 13” of the lower level 15”, and that a stack of hatch covers 9 is placed on the trolley 13’ of the upper level 15’. This means that the levels 15’, 15” can be as close together as possible, and the overall height of the HCV 1 is kept to a minimum. The HCV 1 can therefore be used with cranes that have a lower ground clearance without modification, although it may only be possible to store two hatch covers 9 on the HCV 1 when used with such cranes (for example, standard ship-to-shore gantry cranes may have a clearance 12.5m).

[0071] The arrangement shown in Fig. 4 is a side view through line A-A of Fig. 3 when the gantry 3 is separated into two levels (an upper level 15’ and a lower level 15”). Each level 15’, 15” has two associated trolleys 13, each being able to move between a respective hatch cover loading areas 1 la’, 1 la”, 1 lb’, 1 lb” and a hatch cover storage area 12’, 12”. In Fig. 4, two such trolleys 13, one for each level 15’, 15”, can be seen although it will be appreciated that other trolleys 13 will be associated with the storage areas on the other side of the crane leg 10. A hatch cover 9 can be stored on each trolley 13, one above the other. If more than two hatch covers 9 are to be stored on the trolleys 13, a stack of hatch covers 9 can be placed on the top of the trolley 13 on the upper level 15’.

[0072] Each trolley 13 in the two level 15’, 15” arrangement of Fig. 4 can be moved to the first hatch cover loading area 1 la’, 1 la” or the second hatch cover loading area 1 lb’, 1 lb” of the respective level 15’, 15”. When used with a double-boom crane, with one boom over the first hatch cover loading area 1 la’, 1 la” and the other boom over the second hatch cover loading area 1 lb’, 1 lb”, the hoist of both booms can move hatch covers 9 to and from both trolleys 13. A two layer arrangement therefore provides more flexibility for unloading/loading plans in relation to the removal and replacement of hatch covers 9.

[0073] As can be seen in Fig. 6, then the gantry 3 of the HCV 1 has two levels 15’, 15”, a container storage area 18 of the HCV 1 can be an extension of the lower gantry level 15” beyond the upper gantry level 15’.

[0074] Method of Unloading a Container Ship [0075] Conventionally, the one or more hatch covers 9 (hatch cover or hatch cover stack) would be placed on the ground at the back-reach of the crane, thereby creating an obstacle for vehicles moving around the dock. Instead, the hatch cover 9 or hatch cover stack is instead placed on the raised gantry 3 of a HCV 1, which has a clearance from the ground to the underside of the gantry 3 (i.e. the soffit of the gantry) sufficient for vehicles to pass beneath the gantry 3.

[0076] A method of unloading a container ships using ship-to-shore equipment, including a method of removing and storing container ship hatch covers without disrupting terminal traffic flow, is set out below with respect to Fig. 8A.

[0077] At step Sl 10, containers are removed from a container ship. With the container ship securely berthed, quayside cranes are deployed over the hatches to be initially worked. The cranes clear containers from the hatch covers of their designated hatches. Containers stacked upon the hatch covers are removed to their designated storage areas within the container yard. Depending upon the type of horizontal transport provided in the terminal, having removed the twist locks from the import containers the crane can unload containers onto the dock for collection or directly onto a vehicle in a designated location in a loading area on the dock apron.

[0078] When all containers carried on top of a hatch cover have been unloaded, a crane removes that hatch cover at step S120. The hatch cover may be removed by a crane in a conventional manner, such as with a spreader or other approved lifting frame. If more than one hatch cover is to be removed, the crane can remove each hatch cover in a single operation at step S120 unless operational considerations require otherwise.

[0079] At step S130, the HCV 1 is oriented beneath a boom of the crane. A hatch cover 9 will be carried by a hoist (hook or spreader) associated with a boom of the crane.

[0080] When the HCV 1 has its own power supply and drive system (i.e. it is an

independent HCV), for example, orienting the HCV 1 comprises positioning the HCV 1 to receive the hatch cover 9. The independent HCV 1 must be positioned under the boom so that the hoist can lower each of the designated hatch covers 9 onto the gantry 3 (i.e. so that the gantry 3 of the HCV 1 is positioned directly above the container loading area of the apron). In arrangements where the gantry 3 has one or more hatch cover loading areas 11, 1 la’, 1 la”, 1 lb’, 1 lb” separate from one or more hatch cover storage areas 12, 12’, 12”, Such as in Figs. 3 -7, all of the hatch cover loading areas 11, 1 la’, 1 la”, 1 lb’, 1 lb” are directly beneath one of the booms. In such arrangements, orienting the HCV 1 comprises locating a trolley or carrier 13 in the hatch cover loading area 11, 1 la’, 1 la”, 1 lb’, 1 lb” beneath the boom to receive the hatch cover 9 from the hoist and above a portion of the container loading area of the dock apron. The HCV 1 is then orientated to allow the crane to place the hatch cover 9 on the trolley 13 that is in the hatch cover loading area 11, l la’, l la”, l lb’, 1 lb”. In this arrangement the HCV 1 will not move with the hatch covers 9 in place in normal operations. Instead, in normal operations, the hatch covers will be returned to the ship before the crane moves to the next hold designated for unloading/loading. However, it is possible for the HCV 1 described herein to move with one or more hatch covers in a hatch cover storage area if circumstances dictate that it must do so.

[0081] The HCV 1 straddles at least one of the traffic lanes (unloading and loading lanes) on the apron to permit free flow of traffic beneath the HCV 1 along that at least one traffic lane. Preferably, the HCV 1 straddles all of the designated unloading and loading lanes permitting free traffic flow. Preferably, the HCV 1 is electrically connectable to the crane. When the HCV 1 is connected to the crane, the HCV 1 can draw electrical power from the crane to power a supply of mechanical power (such as a motor), for example to move of the trolley on the HCV 1, or to power other functions of the HCV 1 such as lighting,

communication and computer systems thereon. This removes the need to have a generator on the HCV 1.

[0082] At step S140, the crane places the one or more hatch covers 9 (hatch cover or stack of hatch covers) on top of a gantry 3 of the Hatch Cover Vehicle, HCV 1.

As the hatch cover is stored above the height of other vehicles, it does not form an obstacle and traffic around the crane can flow more freely. This improves the efficiency of the process of unloading containers and/or cargo from the hold of the ship as containers can be moved away from the crane more quickly. In some aspects, the hatch cover 9 is placed directly on the gantry 3. In some aspects, the hatch cover 9 is placed on a trolley or carrier 13 that is itself on the gantry 3.

[0083] Conventionally, the one or more hatch covers 9 (hatch cover or hatch cover stack) would be placed on the ground at the back-reach of the crane, thereby creating an obstacle for vehicles moving around the dock. Instead, the hatch cover 9 or hatch cover stack is instead placed on the raised gantry 3 of a HCV 1, which has a clearance from the ground to the underside of the gantry 3 (i.e. the soffit of the gantry) sufficient for vehicles to pass beneath the gantry 3.

[0084] At step S150, the HCV 1 moves the hatch cover 9 or hatch cover stack. This can be done by moving the HCV 1 or, where appropriate, by moving the trolley or carrier 13.

[0085] When the one or more hatch covers 9 (hatch cover 9 or hatch cover stack) have been placed directly on the gantry 3, the one or more hatch covers 9 are moved by moving the HCV 1. When the HCV 1 is static in relation to the crane, such as when it is fitted as a collar around the leg 10 of a crane, and the HCV 1 has one or more hatch cover loading areas 11, 1 la’, 1 la”, 1 lb’, 1 lb” separate from one or more hatch cover storage areas 12, 12’, 12”, and the one or more hatch covers 9 are placed on a trolley 13, the trolley 13 is moved to a hatch cover storage area 12, 12’, 12” on the gantry 3. The hatch cover storage area 12, 12’, 12” is not under the boom of the crane.

[0086] In some arrangements, step S150 can be omitted. For example, if the HCV 1 is located under the back-reach of the crane, and the loading area 11, 1 la’, 1 la”,

1 lb’, 1 lb” is between the leg 10 of the crane and the edge of the quayside, a hatch cover 9 or hatch cover stack on the elevated gantry 3 may not interfere with the hoist of the crane during an unloading/loading process. In such an example, land based container transport equipment can still move under the hatch cover 9 or hatch cover stack, which is on the elevated gantry 3, so impediment to traffic is kept to a minimum.

[0087] For example, in arrangements where a hatch cover 9 or hatch cover stack is stored directly on the gantry of the HCV 1, it is preferred that the HCV 1 stores up to two hatch covers 9 at a time (a total of approximately 90tonnes to lOOtonnes). Once a first HCV 1 has two hatch covers stored thereon, it can be moved. The crane can proceed to remove another one or two hatch covers (S120), and a second HCV 1 can then be moved into position below the boom of the crane (S130). The other one or more hatch covers 9 can be placed on the second HCV 1 (S140), which can then move those other hatch covers 9 away from the container loading area associated with the crane (S150).

[0088] In some arrangements, three or more hatch covers are stored as a hatch cover stack directly on the gantry of a HCV 1. In some arrangements, a single HCV 1 can receive a hatch cover from a first crane (S140) then be moved into position beneath the boom of a second crane (S130) before a hatch cover removed by that second crane is placed (S140) on the hatch cover received from the first crane to create a hatch cover stack on the HCV 1. In such arrangements, the hatch cover removed by the second crane (S120) can be removed from the container ship while the HCV 1 is receiving the hatch cover from the first crane (S140) and/or while the HCV 1 is orienting itself with respect to the second crane. In another example, relating to an arrangement where the hatch cover or hatch cover stack was placed on a trolley or carrier 13 at step S140 (for example, a HCV 1 gantry 3 having at least one hatch cover loading area distinct from at least one hatch cover storage area), moving the hatch cover or hatch cover stack comprises moving the trolley or carrier 13 from a hatch cover loading area 11, 1 la’, 1 la”, 1 lb’, 1 lb” to a hatch cover storage area 12, 12’, 12”.

[0089] At step S150 the hatch cover or hatch cover stack is moved. Typically, this clears the container loading area on the apron. With an independent HCV1 (i.e. when a hatch cover is placed directly on the gantry 3 of the HCV1), the HCV 1 moves parallel to the quay side edge to be clear of the cranes designated unloading area. As traffic can pass under the gantry 3, the HCV 1 can be left straddling traffic lanes while the crane moves and after the crane moves without impeding traffic. With an HCV 1 that is static in relation to a crane, such as when it is fitted as a collar around the leg 10 of the crane, and the HCV 1 has one or more hatch cover loading areas 11, 1 la’, 1 la”, 1 lb’, 1 lb” separate from one or more hatch cover storage areas 12, 12’, 12”, and the one or more hatch covers 9 are placed on a trolley 13, the trolley 13 is moved to a hatch cover storage area 12, 12’, 12” on the gantry 3. The hatch cover storage area 12, 12’, 12” is not under the boom of the crane.

[0090] In some arrangements, steps S120-S150 are repeated until all cleared hatch covers

9 have been removed and stored. Steps S120-S150 may be considered as a method of removing and storing hatch covers. If there are no hatch covers 9 of the hold clear of containers and/or cargo, the process moves on to step S160.

[0091] At step 160, the crane is free to continue unloading the containers in the holds from which the hatch covers 9 have been removed. The crane proceeds to unload containers and/or cargo from the hold that was made accessible by the removal of the one or more hatch covers 9. Cargo, such as intermodal containers, are picked up from the hold of the ship by a spreader and placed in a container loading area. Land based container transport equipment can then relocate the cargo from the loading area to a marshalling yard, for example. In place of a hook or spreader, a hopper can be used to remove bulk cargo (non-containerised, loose cargo such as grain, coal and oil) from the hold of a ship and placed in a hopper can on the apron. The hopper car can then move the cargo away from the loading area.

[0092] Unloading containers and/or cargo from the hold may require moving the crane in a direction parallel to the edge of the quayside once the containers and /or cargo beneath a boom has all been unloaded. The process of moving the crane to unload other containers and/or cargo can be repeated as many times as necessary.

[0093] The above described process including steps Sl 10-S160 explains a process of removing hatch covers from a hold of a container vessel using a hoist on a boom of a crane to lift each hatch cover 9, onto a HCV 1, with steps S120-S150 relating to removing and storing each of the hatch covers 9. Steps 110-S160 are preferably carried out in relation to a single hold of a container ship for terminals using standard cantilever SSGC and independent HCV 1 vehicles. But for areas of terminals where the COFASTRANS twin boomed portal cranes are deployed and the HCV 1 is secured around the crane’s portal legs on each side of the indented berth the removal of hatch covers from both holds being operated by the crane using both HCV 1. [0094] In practice, container ships include multiple holds, each having multiple hatch covers 9 (four or five hatch covers per central hold of a ship is common). A process including steps Sl 10 to S160 can be applied independently in relation to other holds of the container ship. Other cranes can continue to unload containers from the deck of the berthed ship while steps Sl 10 to S 160 are occurring.

[0095] Method of Loading a Container Ship

[0096] A method of replacing hatch covers during loading of a container ship using ship- to-shore equipment is set out below with respect to Fig. 8B. The method below assumes the container ship is being unloaded and loaded on a hold by hold basis with all of the designated import containers being removed and export containers being loaded before the cranes move along the berth.

[0097] At step S210, the hold of a container ship is loaded. The hold can be loaded in a conventional manner. Containers are loaded from a loading area on the dock apron or other container yard storage stacks. Land based container transport equipment are used to move container to the loading areas from container storage areas, such as warehouses. The crane can load into the hold of the ship. In some instances, there may be a time period where double cycling is possible. In such a double cycling period, unloading containers in step S 160 is sequenced with the loading of containers in step S210 (i.e. steps S160 and S210 occur concurrently), with the crane remaining in the same location.

[0098] A crane can only place containers and/or other cargo in the hold directly below a boom of the crane. As such, the crane may move laterally (in a direction parallel to the edge of the quayside) to load the hold of the ship. The process of moving the crane to load containers and/or other cargo to the hold can be repeated as many times as necessary. At the end of step S210, the crane should be positioned to be able to replace hatch covers 9 to the loaded hold.

[0099] Once a hold is loaded, hatch covers must be replaced. The hatch covers 9 must therefore be retrieved from storage. At step S220, a HCV 1 storing one or more hatch covers 9 associated with the loaded hold moves one or more hatch covers 9 to a position where they can be retrieved by a hoist of the crane. [00100] When the hatches are stored on an independent HCV 1 with its own power supply and drive system, the vehicle will be moved back and orientated above the container loading area directly below the boom of the crane. When the HCV 1 the hatch cover or hatch cover stack is stored on a trolley or carrier 13 on the gantry 3 (for example, a HCV 1 gantry 3 having at least one hatch cover loading area distinct from at least one hatch cover storage area), moving the hatch cover or hatch cover stack comprises moving the trolley or carrier 13 from a hatch cover storage area 12, 12’, 12” to a hatch cover loading area 11, l la’, l la”, l lb’, 1 lb”.

[00101] When the one or more hatch covers 9 (hatch cover 9 or hatch cover stack) have been placed directly on the gantry 3, the one or more hatch covers 9 are moved by moving the HCV 1 to a position above a container loading area (i.e. below a boom of the crane). When the HCV 1 the hatch cover or hatch cover stack is stored on a trolley or carrier 13 on the gantry 3 (for example, a HCV 1 gantry 3 having at least one hatch cover loading area distinct from at least one hatch cover storage area), moving the hatch cover or hatch cover stack comprises moving the trolley or carrier 13 from a hatch cover storage area 12, 12’, 12” to a hatch cover loading area 11, l la’, l la”, l lb’, l lb”.

[00102] At step S230, one or more hatch covers 9 is lifted from the HCV 1 by the hoist of the crane.

[00103] At step S240, the one or more hatch covers 9 is replaced to cover at least a portion of the hold of the ship. As hatch covers 9 are not generally interchangeable, each hatch cover 9 needs be returned to the correct location over the hold.

[00104] At step S250, the HCV 1 is oriented to clear the container loading area of the apron. When the HCV 1 has its own power supply and drive system (i.e. it is an independent HCV), for example, orienting the HCV 1 comprises moving the HCV 1 to a position that is not under a boom of the crane. The HCV 1 can still straddle one or more traffic lanes as the soffit of the gantry 3 is high enough that the vehicles will not be impeded.

[00105] In arrangements where the gantry 3 has one or more hatch cover loading areas 11, l la’, l la”, 1 lb’, 1 lb” separate from one or more hatch cover storage areas 12, 12’, 12”, orienting the HCV 1 comprises locating a trolley or carrier 13 in a hatch cover storage area 12, 12’, 12”.

[00106] In some aspects, step S230 and step S240 are concurrent. In other aspects, step

S230 and step S250 are concurrent.

[00107] If the hold is not covered, steps S220 to S240 can be repeated for other hatch covers 9 for the hold. If the HCV 1 has two or more hatch cover loading areas 1 la’, 1 la”, 1 lb’, 1 lb” and two or more hatch cover storage areas 12’, 12”, repeating steps S220 to S250 can begin by repeating step S220 on the same HCV 1. For example, in the first instance of step S220, a first trolley or carrier 13 is moved from a hatch cover storage area 12’, 12” to a hatch cover loading areas 1 la’, 1 la”, 1 lb’, 1 lb” beneath a boom of a crane. In the second instance of step S220, a second trolley or carrier 13 is moved to a hatch cover loading areas 1 la’,

I la”, 1 lb’, 1 lb” beneath a boom of a crane.

[00108] Once the hold is covered by replacing the hatch covers 9, the crane can be used to load containers to the deck of the ship, on top of the hatch covers at step S260. Loading the containers to the deck of the ship can be done in a conventional manner.

[00109] The above described process including steps S210-S260 explains a process of loading a ship when container ship hatch covers 9 were stored on a HCV 1. Steps S220-S250 relate to replacing container ship hatch covers 9. Steps S210-S260 are preferably carried out in relation to a single hold of a container ship. A process including steps S210 to S260 can be applied independently in relation to other holds of the container ship. Other cranes can continue to load containers and/or other cargo to other holds and deck of the berthed ship while steps S210 to S260 are occurring in relation to the single hold.

Other aspects, embodiments and modifications

[00110] In some embodiments, the HCV 1 is formed as part of the leg of a crane. In such embodiments, the HCV 1 will have a HCV 1 includes a hatch cover loading area

I I and a hatch cover storage area 12 with a trolley able to move between the loading area 11 and the storage area 12 as described above. [00111] Some arrangements do not include a container storage area 18 on the HCV 1.

Such arrangements are simpler to manufacture.

[00112] In some arrangements, such as shown in Fig. 6, an HCV 1 can have an auxiliary container storage platform for storing containers on its landward side (i.e. the side of the HCV 1 that would be further in land when the HCV 1 is deployed for use). In arrangements where the HCV 1 fits around the leg of a two-boom crane, such as that shown in Fig. 3, an auxiliary container storage platform 21 can be provided on the landward side under each boom. When two auxiliary container storage platforms 21 are so provided, a container unloading/loading area 22 can be provided therebetween with a container trolley 23 to move containers to/from the auxiliary container storage platforms 21 from/to the container unloading/loading area. Dockside vehicles can load a container onto the trolley 23 on the container unloading/loading area 22. The container trolley can then move the container to an auxiliary container storage platform 21, where the container can be picked up by the crane. Similarly, the crane can place a container on a container trolley at an auxiliary container storage. The container trolley 23 can then move the container to the container unloading/loading area 22, where the container can be removed by dockside vehicles.

[00113] Many other variants and embodiments will be apparent to the skilled reader, all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the invention whether or not covered by the claims as filed. Protection is sought for any and all novel subject matter and combinations thereof disclosed herein.