Page 59: of Marine News Magazine (June 1969)

Container Handling System converts ordinary cargo ships into container ships?without expensive structural alterations! of loading, the cradle will be posi-tioned at the longitudinal center line of the ship. When the cradle is fully loaded with two stacks of four containers, it is moved outboard by means of two hydraulic cylinders at each cradle. Elimination of conventional rolling devices and sub-stitution of a modern low friction materials applica-tion? proven through exhaustive testing ? sub-stantially lowered the conversion costs and will assure a lifetime maintenance-free operation. When a cradle of containers has been positioned to each side, in each bay, a special center foundation is posi-tioned hydraulically to accommodate two more stacks of four containers each. This is accomplished with-out requiring personnel below decks. Restrainers are provided to prevent motion of the containers while the ship is in a seaway. To take advantage of the efficiency of container shipping, Seatrain Lines, Inc., turned to the AAI Corporation with a basic concept to convert four C-4 cargo ships to container ships. AAI, with capa-bilities in electronic, mechanical and hydraulic ma-terials handling systems, engineered and furnished much of the hardware for a hydraulic system which allows 24 containers to be loaded in each bay through a conventional hatch. This eliminated ex-pensive structural alterations to the ships. The system,adapted to a specially designed spreader bar,will take over the container after it comes over the side of the ship, guide it into the ship's hold and position it on a skidway or cradle. At the time INDUSTRIAL DIVISION AAI CORPORATION Phone: (301) 666-1400 Write: P.O. Box 6853 Baltimore, Maryland 21204 Developers and builders of complete cargo handling systems for shipboard and dockside. June 1, 1969 61