SAAM Terminals Invests in $500k Crane Simulator

In many ways, cranes represent the beating heart of your average cargo terminal. Handling hundreds of containers per day, the efficiency of crane operations (known as ‘crane rate’) can have an enormous impact on overall port productivity; which is perhaps why SAAM Terminals has announced a $500k investment in a crane simulator…

Provided by Canadian company CM Labs Simulators, the crane simulator has controls that are replicas of those used on actual cranes. The simulator can also recreate common failures that can occur during crane operations - significantly improving operator safety and performance. 

Commenting on the company’s investment, Gastón Moya, SVP of Human Resources and Sustainability for SAAM Terminals said: 

“This simulator is a strategic asset for the company. Combined with the port speciality training packages developed with Fundación Chile and CEIM, it will enable us to train new operators and retain existing ones, providing an essential tool for continuous skill development and efficient, safe operations”.

The new simulator is mobile, and thus can be transferred to locations as needed. Initially, the simulator will be installed at San Vincente Terminal Internacional (SVTI). In fact, four crane operators from this port have already been trained in Canada and will be in charge of training their colleagues.

Moya further explains that: 

“This equipment is pioneering in the Chilean port industry. It offers ground-breaking graphic realism and accurately emulates the movements and forces applied during crane operations. It features screens that replicate all operator viewing angles, providing an immersive experience. In addition, the sounds have been recorded from real equipment to make the simulation even more real”.

Ignacio García, People Manager at San Vincente Terminal Internacional has welcomed the addition of the training simulator, commenting: 

“We are very pleased to have this new tool at SVTI since it will allow us to improve worker training and coaching. This training will also enhance our operators’ careers, promoting talent development in the terminal and improving processes through digital transformation”.

Crane incident investigations

Cranes play a critical role in the safe and efficient operation of ports across the world. However, given the role they play and the stresses they are subject to, cranes can sometimes experience failures, including; structural failures, slewing bearing failures, winch failures, and wire failures. 

Should you find yourself dealing with such a failure, then choose Brookes Bell to assist you. 

Our marine engineers, metallurgists, and more have all advised on crane failures at the highest level, and with team members based in the UK, Europe, the Far East, and the Americas, we are always close at hand. 

Find out more about Brookes Bell’s crane incident investigation services

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