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“Due to the stacking accuracy we have achieved, for example, we want to keep the floor markers that the crane uses for orientation,” the 47-year-old explains. The 26 storage blocks, each with two gantry cranes on rails and a storage capacity of 1,440 TEU per standard block, serve as a link between water-side AGVs, trucks in hinterland transport and terminal chassis transport between storage and railway cranes.
As part of this retrofit project, the first storage block has already been gutted for electrical retrofitting, while the steel construction, motors, cable paths and wheels remain. The outdated power electronics are no longer available on the market. “The brain of the crane and everything that works with the main con- trol system are to be replaced. This also includes pe- ripheral parts, such as input and output assemblies,” Schlage clarifies. He adds: “We have an excellent standing with the manufacturer ABB when it comes to maintenance, crane improvements and ingenui- ty.” For instance, his team developed details that the automation technology group adopted worldwide, such as a positioning system with static magnets.
“I’ve always been fond of the storage crane,” Schlage says. In 2001, he left an industrial company to join HHLA Technik and was the first mechanic to start at the CTA, before becoming head mechanic in the fault clearance service. Today, he spends about a fifth of his working hours at block storage, but mostly he can be found in the open-plan office. In the morning, Schlage first reads the records from the late shift be- fore dispatching the team for the day’s work.
The computer workstations may seem unspectacular at first glance, but it is here that important work is done for the sus- tainable future of the HHLA: “Our analy- ses make it possible to organise existing material more effectively.” For instance, the crane specialists have increased equipment stability over the course of two decades. He mentions the drive system for cable drums as an example: “By mak- ing our own software changes to cable drum control, we were able to achieve considerable system optimisations.”
Schlage has been able to put together his team since 2006, but no crane mechan- ics can be found on the market, he says. The trick is to find the right characters among the electricians, electronics tech- nicians and master craftsmen available.
During the Lehman Brothers crisis in 2008, the em- ployer offered him the opportunity to undergo train- ing as a technical manager for four months. Today, he benefits from the business mindset when he mon- itors production processes, makes decisions on technology use and ensures operational readiness.
He is proud to work at the world’s first “climate neu- tral”-certified terminal, because he and his team contributed to this, for example by retrofitting ener- gy-efficient LED technology. In the past, the 52 gan- try cranes at the CTA were operated under complete illumination; now the storage blocks are kept dark. Only when a remote controller is called are the lights turned on.
In his free time, the trained industrial electronics technician also enjoys repairing anything that breaks at home.
PORT OF HAMBURG MAGAZINE 1/24 YOUR PORT YOUR JOB
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Land-side equipment team dispatcher Requirements:
In order to work as a land-side equipment team dispatcher, it is also important to have technical training as an electronics technician or mechatronics engineer. A qualification as a technician, master craftsman or engineer is also necessary.
Soft skills:
Other desirable criteria for the profession include a posi- tive attitude and the ability to motivate people. Likewise beneficial are perseverance and a certain affinity for de- tails in order to dive into the world of cranes.
As dispatcher for the land-side equip- ment team, Christopher Schlage can often be found on the CTA site.
©HHLA