Konecranes partnership wins Austal a Mercury Award

Konecranes has won a Mercury Award for safety and efficiency initiatives implemented for Austal, a designer and constructor of commercial and defence vessels.

Konecranes' Mercury Award.

The Australian Mercury Award for a Materials Handling Solution was awarded for Austal ship construction projects. The company typically uses 16 overhead hoists working simultaneously to lift and move each assembled ship section before positioning on the main structure.

Previously, each hoist required its own operator, so 16 operators were needed. Austal approached Konecranes seeking an improved working method which, in conjunction with the supply of 32 CXT wire rope hoists, ultimately involved radio remote controls with which a single operator can now control all 16 designated hoists (and up to 20 at a time if required).

“We’re pleased with their solution, which works well in practice. We need only one operator, it’s easy for the operator and certainly safer as well,” said Phil Growden, Site Services Manager at Austal. “Konecranes were the only crane supplier who could give us the solution we needed.”

Konecranes technology at work at Austal.

Konecranes recently awarded its global safety award for outstanding performance to its Australian and New Zealand operations, which gained the top award from among all Konecranes operations worldwide.