A system for managing shipping containers and twist lock connectors includes a platform able to receive a set of shipping containers; a set of connector changers associated with the platform, where each connector changer is able to move along at least one axis parallel to a surface of the platform, a shuttle associated with the platform, and at least one gantry, each gantry having a set of associated handlers able to transfer connectors between at least one connector changer and shuttle.

The offshore jack-up has a hull and a plurality of moveable legs engageable with the seafloor. The offshore jack-up is arranged to move the legs with respect to the hull to position the hull out of the water. The method comprises moving at least a portion of a vessel underneath the hull of the offshore jack-up or within a cut-out of the hull when the hull is positioned out of the water and the legs engage the seafloor. A stabilizing mechanism mounted on the jack-up is engaged against the vessel. The stabilizing mechanism is pushed down on the vessel to increase the buoyant force acting on the vessel.

A material handling system for handling heavy loads on a ship includes at least two air casters arranged to lift a heavy load off a ground surface, at least two drive units releasably connectable to said air casters and/or to said heavy load, wherein each one of said drive units includes at least one drive means for positioning said heavy load, and a drive controller arranged to control said at least one drive means. The material handling system further includes at least one user input unit and an air caster controller arranged to control a lifting force of said air casters, wherein said drive controllers and said air caster controller are arranged in communication with said at least one user input unit such that said drive means of said drive units and said lifting force of said air casters are controllable from said at least one user input unit.

The invention discloses a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor, comprising a gantry system, a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom, a boom support, a two-drum winch, a roller unit and an automatic control system. The gantry system, the two-drum winch and the boom support are mounted on a deck of a hull. The conveyor boom is formed of multi-bar linkage mechanisms, the movement of which can be changed. Rollers are mounted on the conveyor boom. The rear segment of the conveyor boom is articulated with the boom support. The two-drum winch is connected to the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom via a steel wire rope and by a set of gantry pulleys. A hydraulic device and a control device are arranged between adjacent multi-bar linkage mechanisms. A tension sensor is arranged at an end of the steel wire rope. The whole conveyor is controlled by the automatic control system.

The invention discloses a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor, comprising a gantry system, a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom, a boom support, a two-drum winch, a roller unit and an automatic control system. The gantry system, the two-drum winch and the boom support are mounted on a deck of a hull. The conveyor boom is formed of multi-bar linkage mechanisms, the movement of which can be changed. Rollers are mounted on the conveyor boom. The rear segment of the conveyor boom is articulated with the boom support. The two-drum winch is connected to the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom via a steel wire rope and by a set of gantry pulleys. A hydraulic device and a control device are arranged between adjacent multi-bar linkage mechanisms. A tension sensor is arranged at an end of the steel wire rope. The whole conveyor is controlled by the automatic control system.

The present invention discloses a method for operating a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor. Stretching the mechanism based conveyor comprises: an automatic control system is started to control a first two-drum winch, a second two-drum winch, and hydraulic cylinders in a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom to operate together until the mechanism enters an operating state, and the first two-drum winch, the second two-drum winch, and the hydraulic cylinders in the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom stop operating. Then, the angle of the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom can be adjusted by controlling the operation of the second two-drum winch. Retracting the mechanism based conveyor comprises: the automatic control system is started to control the first two-drum winch, the second two-drum winch, and the hydraulic cylinders in the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom to operate together until the mechanism enters a non-operating state.

The present invention discloses a method for operating a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor. Stretching the mechanism based conveyor comprises: an automatic control system is started to control a first two-drum winch, a second two-drum winch, and hydraulic cylinders in a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom to operate together until the mechanism enters an operating state, and the first two-drum winch, the second two-drum winch, and the hydraulic cylinders in the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom stop operating. Then, the angle of the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom can be adjusted by controlling the operation of the second two-drum winch. Retracting the mechanism based conveyor comprises: the automatic control system is started to control the first two-drum winch, the second two-drum winch, and the hydraulic cylinders in the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom to operate together until the mechanism enters a non-operating state.

A system for the transfer, storage and distribution of intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The system comprises a first storage area comprising a first plurality of shafts arranged in a grid pattern along a first and second axis, a plurality of gantry cranes slidably disposed along the first axis and extending beyond the storage area, a roof structure disposed at a distance above the plurality of shafts, and a plurality of overhead cranes slidably associated with the plurality of tracks. The shafts disposed in rows along the first axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The shafts disposed in a given row along the second axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a corresponding length. The plurality of gantry cranes are each configured to attach to and transport an intermodal container from a first location to one of a plurality of platforms slidably disposed along the first axis. The platforms delivering the intermodal container to one of the rows of the shafts along the first axis are based on the length of the intermodal container. The roof structure comprises a plurality of tracks corresponding to the rows of the shafts along the second axis. The overhead cranes are each configured to attach to and transport the intermodal container from the platforms to either one of the shafts or to a second location.

The invention relates to a loading device, wherein the loading device comprises a gantry (6) and a platform (5) which is mounted on the gantry (6). A pylon (1) is arranged at a base point (7) on the platform (5). A jib extends out from the pylon (1). The pylon (1) can be rotatably connected to the platform (5). The platform (5) defines a vertical axis (8) which extends in the vertical direction and runs through the base point (7). The pylon (1) is curved in a region adjoining the platform (5) and intersects the vertical axis (8) at an angle (a). The invention further comprises a pylon (1) for a loading device.

A system for managing shipping containers and twist lock connectors is described. The system includes multiple stations. Each station includes a container platform and a pallet station. The container platform is able to accommodate various container sizes and/or multiple containers at one time. The container platform includes connector changers, handlers, and gantries that are able to automatically engage connectors with a container and disengage connectors from a container. The station includes a shuttle able to transfer connectors between the platform handlers and pallet station handlers and gantries. The pallet station includes a pallet with multiple receptacles for storing connectors. The pallet station and/or the container platform may include one or more magazines and/or one or more conveyors.