Tauranga-headquartered port logistics company ISO Limited, continues its investment in world-leading technology to transform the safety and efficiency of its port logistics supply chain, with the addition of four mobile harbour cranes at its operation in Mount Maunganui for use on the Mount Maunganui Wharfs.

ISO commissioned the Liebherr mobile harbour cranes, a world-first in terms of size and capacity, to deliver enhanced safety for handling of all types of cargo including logs, and to increase handling cycles, lift capacity and vessel turnarounds.

The German-manufactured mobile harbour cranes arrived into Te Awanui, Tauranga harbour, on an ISO-chartered heavy-lift vessel Rolldock Sun, after travelling 12,000 nautical miles over 37 sailing days from Rostock via the Panama Canal.

Paul Cameron, CEO of ISO says the company is committed to continue applying world-leading innovation to its business and to deliver competitive excellence in supply chain transparency for its customers.

“We’re creating a new future in a traditional industry by applying robotics, automation and IT, to minimise exposure to hazards and move our people into more skilled roles. We’re on a mission to enhance safety, improve efficiency and productivity, and radically improve the supply chain for our customers.

“It’s very exciting to add mobile harbour cranes to our port logistics operation. The technology is not only safer, it allows us to load and unload vessels without the use of ships cranes – allowing us to handle cargo for a wider range of vessels. The introduction of the cranes is part of a wider technology innovation initiative which has seen us introduce Robotic Scaling Machines for scaling logs, and sophisticated IT solutions to our operations in recent years.”

ISO Limited has grown to be one of New Zealand’s largest nationwide waterfront cargo logistics companies, providing cargo logistics services throughout New Zealand operating out of: Marsden Point, Tauranga, Kaingaroa, Murupara, Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth, Wellington, Picton, Timaru, Dunedin, Bluff and Invercargill. ISO also provides innovative warehousing, IT and total supply chain solutions to port industries across New Zealand and Australia and software solutions in North and South America.

Mr. Cameron says the remote-controlled mobile harbour cranes, with advanced technology and safety specifications, were specifically customised to suit ISO’s operating environment with input from the company’s technology team.

Weighing 465 tonnes, the fully mobile Liebherr harbour crane has a 51 metre maximum lifting height, a 54 metre maximum outreach, dual outrigger pads that provide improved point loading distribution, 80 steerable wheel sets and has mobility of 360 degrees from any point.

ISO’s New Zealand customers are already benefiting from the company’s introduction of industry-changing Robotic Scaling Machines which automate the accurate volumetric measurement (scaling) of export logs on trucks and trailers. The world-first robotic technology was developed by Tauranga-based robotics and automation company Robotics Plus in collaboration with ISO. 

ISO commissioned the first Robotic Scaling Machine for its facility at Mount Maunganui and has had it in operation since November 2018.

The robot can automatically scan logs on a truck in 3 to 4 minutes, which compares up to 40 minutes for the previous manual system used throughout the world – which requires people to hand scan the logs by climbing between trucks and trailers.

Mr Cameron says ISO will continue to invest in technology that delivers safety and efficiency and has a clear payback for the forestry and other industries it serves.