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Virginia International Terminals (VIT) operates and maintains the waterfront Marine Terminals and Virginia Inland Port owned by The Virginia Port Authority. The second largest terminal, Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT), currently operates six cranes to handle containers, RO/RO and break bulk cargo.

One of these cranes is an old Paceco crane. More than 30 years old, it’s a workhorse that just won’t quit. The company was experiencing wind problems and roller and tow cable failures on all of its festoon systems. This prompted PMT to look for an alternate method of getting communications and power from the back reach of the crane to the operator’s cab, which moves independently of the crane boom.

The best solution was igus ReadyChain. PMT uses igus Rol-E-Chain, an Energy Chain with integrated rollers to reduce friction, and Chainflex continuous-flex cables. The trolley moves 410 feet per minute. It’s a vertical, supported Energy Chain application that glides on itself in a guide trough attached to the crane underneath and suspended in the air.

Mike Petty, Crane Maintenance Supervisor, Virginia International Terminals said, “Driven by our desire to minimize downtime on equipment, we are always looking for innovative ways to improve reliability. This is what led us to Igus ReadyChain systems. I need to be able to say I tested it and it works—100 percent. ReadyChain works. I am completely confident in this product. ReadyChain gives us higher reliability at a lower cost. I would like to use ReadyChain on all my cranes.”

To learn more about Virginia International Terminals, visit www.vit.org.