As part of a terminal expansion in the inland port of Emmerich, Contargo is planning to replace one of its two container gantry cranes in 2025. To ensure smooth operations during this time, it was decided to have the remaining gantry crane overhauled beforehand.

Tsubaki Kabelschlepp has already impressed Contargo with its ready-to-connect complete energy chain systems (Totaltrax) at other locations in the past and was awarded the contract for the crane retrofit at the beginning of August 2024. The objective: maximum operational reliability for the coming years. The challenge: replacing the two energy chains during operation in the shortest possible time.

Multivariable cable carrier with a wide range of bar variants

The energy chain systems are based on the MC1300 series from Tsubaki Kabelschlepp in a gliding, counter-rotating arrangement with floating carriers. With a chain length of two times 49 meters, a travel distance of 80 meters is achieved with a maximum additional load of 10 kilograms per chain meter. The M-series energy chains are part of the flexible Vario-Line from Tsubaki Kabelschlepp. This is a multivariable cable carrier with a wide range of stay variants.

Contargo uses type RM frame stays. They are bolted together four times and can be opened quickly and easily on both sides. With a maximum travel speed of 5 m/s and an acceleration of 25 m/s², the MC1300 meets all the basic requirements of the container gantry crane. A closed but hinged roof construction offers the desired ease of maintenance and good protection against the elements.

Fast installation and commissioning

The energy chains were delivered ready for use on a special two-chamber transport drum with the cable package inserted, which enabled them to be installed quickly on site. Installation and commissioning took just under seven days. "The fact that Tsubaki Kabelschlepp employs its own service technicians means that we can achieve such tight timeframes," explains Jens Tielmann, Technical Field Service at Tsubaki Kabelschlepp. "Our team can draw on decades of experience and, on this basis, always make a situation-specific decision in the interests of the customer."

This convinced Michael Mies, Managing Director at Contargo Rhein-Waal-Lippe: "Tsubaki Kabelschlepp has once again proven that they not only supply innovative technology, but also understand our needs precisely. The new system has been running reliably and smoothly since commissioning in October 2024, and we are ideally equipped for the upcoming replacement of our second crane system."