Ports are the gateway of our nations for trading worldwide; their busy terminals are globalising imports and exports, with expansions and new terminals planned to support fast-growing international trade.
Automated equipment, including cranes, operating within these terminals improve efficiency and continued operations for ROI and better profit margins, handling general and bulk cargo types daily. This equipment requires heavy-duty industrial cabling to power, control and monitor the equipment without failure, ensuring operations run efficiently and continuously.
Multiple terminals may be operating for different specialities within a port, such as servicing a Petrochemical plant, LNG terminal, or other specific commodities; its equipment designed to handle this type of cargo alone.
Therefore, it is vital that the cables specified when designing terminals or the equipment used are correct, suitable for the job, and are of an exceptional high-quality standard.
Cranes, for example, require a great deal of cabling to support their power and control, with fixed and flexing cabling such as medium voltage power cables and flexible cables to move and operate the gantry, trolley, and spreader. These cables can also have in-built fibre-optic cables to provide data and monitor the operations.
It is vital these cables withstand multiple daily moving cycles; ensure reliable, long-term, trouble-free performance of the cranes; and comply with the crane’s components, such as the reel, festoon, and cable chain.
During operations, the cables must be robust enough to withstand torsional and tensile stress, whilst being at risk of mechanical, abrasive, water, chemical damage, and current overload; therefore, it is crucial specified cables meet the demands of each specific application and are stored and installed correctly.
Cable sizes must factor in the installation environment and current-carrying capacity by considering the thermal effects, electrical shock, overload and short-circuit currents, voltage drop and mechanical strength, and any other specific demands a unique application may have.
Üntel has worked closely with both port operators and crane, hoisting equipment manufacturers to supply high-quality cables, meeting the demands of these applications and being a trusted partner adding value to their operations.
Applications Üntel’s cables are specified for, include:
• Crane and hoist systems
• Lift and conveyor systems
• Festoon systems
• Spreaders and baskets
• Reeling applications
• Chain systems
• Handling equipments
• Grab and other components
Üntel’s cable range for ports, terminals, cranes, and heavy equipment builds on years of experience within the industry and by listening to its customer base, continuously investing in its R&D, and upholding international quality standards. Its reputation has ensured it is a recognised solution partner within the sector. Its technically trained team provides advice on types of cables for application and storing, handling, preparing, and installing the cables.
Its ÜNFLEX, CRANEFLEX and SUPREMINE crane cable range includes:
• Low and Medium Voltage Reeling Cables
• Cables with integrated fibre optics (FO) – Composite structure
• Flat festoon cables either Rubber and PVC sheathed
• Medium voltage flat cables with or without screen
• Hoist control cables (Pendant)
• High flexible chain cables, polyurethane sheathed
• Trailing cables
• Cold and weather resistant cables
Üntel uses CCV (Catenary Continuous Vulcanisation) line technology for rubber cable production in its factory. This technology can extrude three layers of rubber in a single operation. The factory lines include instruments that control the entire cable production process, and the cables are made using high-quality cable compounds, ensuring they can withstand demanding industrial applications. Its end products are certified to international standards by certification and testing bodies, ensuring safety and quality are paramount throughout its entire product range. Üntel crane cables meet VDE standard and customer demands.
Üntel is a member of the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA). PEMA represents the interests of equipment and technology suppliers on a worldwide basis, providing a platform to inform, educate and promote best practice, both within the industries we serve and externally with port and terminal operators and other key stakeholders.
*Reference on Crane Cables facts were made using PEMA’s paper: Practical Observations about Electrical Cables for Container Cranes