This is believed to be the first time that any British port has handled a tandem 40ft lift. As discussed ad nauseam in WorldCargo News, DP World London Gateway and Jebel Ali (T3) opted for RAM Spreaders' Singflex system, while the Maasvlakte II operators, DP World-led Rotterdam World Gateway and APM Terminals, have opted respectively for Stinis Split-Headblock and Bromma Tandem.

These three facilities have not yet been commissioned, so apart from extensive test lifts with the different systems in various ports, London Gateway may be the first operator worldwide to effect commercial twin 40ft lifts under a crane with a single waterside trolley. Next up could well be ECT Rotterdam, as it has just received five new cranes from ZPMC with a single waterside hoist, intermediate platform and landside hoist, like the cranes at Jebel Ali T3, London Gateway and Maasvlakte II.

Andrew Bowen, London Gateway's Engineering Director, said: “This is an excellent example of DP World innovation at London Gateway. We’ve engineered a system that allows us to double the number of containers we move safely and quickly.”

“By introducing the tandem lift for two 40ft containers to our operations, we will be able to improve productivity that will allow vessels to be turned around faster and cargo to move on to its final destination more efficiently. The culture at DP World London Gateway encourages us to innovate and improve supply chains and we look forward to continuous improvements in the future.”

London Gateway has not indicated when the first twin 40ft lifts were performed or whether the vessel was one the regular SAECS service callers or a bigger vessel exchanging more containers in an "unscheduled" call at the turn of 2013-14. 

During the bad weather experienced over the Christmas/New Year period, London Gateway’s landside operations remained open while some other ports were closed. Four additional calls to London Gateway were made after poor weather caused ships to divert from Felixstowe, including two 8500 TEU Maersk Asia-Europe  vessels, GUDRUN MAERSK and MAERSK KIEL. See also http://www.worldcargonews.com/htm/w20131229.080224.htm