Rotterdam based QARGO Packers Ltd. specialises in the packing, securing and export of large and heavy products weighing up to 35t. The company is the first at the port of Rotterdam to operate a Combilift Straddle Carrier (Combi-SC), which was designed to ease the handling of containers and other oversized loads.

QARGO’s clients come from a wide variety of industries such as the oil and gas, heat and water treatment and engineering sectors, who entrust the company with the seaworthy packaging of their specialist equipment at its Project Freight Station, which comprises a 3,8000 sq. m warehouse, bonded and secured, and a 7,500 sq. m yard.

QARGO Managers Peter Bokhout and Ahrend Geeve got in touch with Combilift after seeing a video of the Combi-SC in action. Having realised that the machine was capable of much more than container handling they identified it as a versatile and cost effective solution for moving the bulky and out of gauge loads such as generators, pipes, flat racks and steel plates that the company deals with on a regular basis.

A variety of other heavy lifting equipment is used at QARGO’s premises but these have their limitations: overhead cranes in the hangars are fixed in place for example and hiring in mobile cranes necessitates extra expenditure. The 40t Combi-SC is effectively the manoeuvrable and multi-purpose link between the internal load packaging area and the external storage yard as it can move effortlessly between the two. It works as a crane, can offload containers off the back of trailers, deposit them in the packing area and reload them when ready for despatch.

Combilift is well known for its ability to customise products to individual requirements and following discussions with Peter Bockhout, the engineers in Ireland designed QARGO’s SC to be 1700mm wider and 1000mm higher than standard models. Together with a 9m long attachment with multiple lift points it therefore offers the flexibility to securely move even the largest and most awkward loads. The telescopic design allows the SC to enter into the building but enables it to double stack when outside, enabling best use of available space for more efficient operation.

Rotterdam Port’s first Combi-SC was supplied to QARGO by Combilift’s official dealer in the country, MABO lifting Nederland BV who also look after service and maintenance. “The Combi-SC is easy to operate and very user friendly. It has added versatility to our operations and enabled us to offer an extra level of service to our customers,” said Peter Bockhout.