A system is configured to move a group of containers including at least five containers simultaneously between a vehicle and a platform. The system includes a container support frame configured to support the group of containers, at least one hoist, and a conveyor. The at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the container support frame and the containers when the containers are secured to the container support frame. The conveyor is configured to move the container support frame and the containers between the vehicle and the platform.

A system is configured to move a group of containers including at least five containers simultaneously between a vehicle and a platform. The system includes a container support frame configured to support the group of containers, at least one hoist, and a conveyor. The at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the container support frame and the containers when the containers are secured to the container support frame. The conveyor is configured to move the container support frame and the containers between the vehicle and the platform.

A system is configured to move a group of containers including at least five containers simultaneously between a vehicle and a platform. The system includes a container support frame configured to support the group of containers, at least one hoist, and a conveyor. The at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the container support frame and the containers when the containers are secured to the container support frame. The conveyor is configured to move the container support frame and the containers between the vehicle and the platform.

A side lift spreader main beam (22) comprises a vertical carrier plate (58) having a first vertical height (H1) and being made of steel plate having a first thickness (T1); a C-beam (60) comprising a first horizontal flange (64) and a second horizontal flange (66) interconnected by a vertical web portion (68), the C-beam (60) having a second vertical height (H2) lower than the first vertical height (H1) and being made of steel plate having a second thickness (T2) thinner than the first thickness (T1), wherein the C-beam (60) defines, together with the carrier plate (58), a closed channel beam with a first flange (74) of the carrier plate (58) extending vertically from the closed channel beam; and an inclined support plate (62) welded to the carrier plate, and to an outer face of the first flange (64) of the C-beam (60) at a distance from the carrier plate (58).

A docking station comprising a first frame arranged to receive a first head block assembly; and a second frame moveably coupled to the first frame by an engagement assembly, wherein the engagement assembly is arranged to selectively move the second frame from a retracted position to an extended position so as to allow the second frame to receive a second head block assembly engageable by the docking station.

An adaptor including a pair of lifting beams for lifting two or more shipping containers in a side by side configuration, each container having corner fittings provided with lifting/fastening sockets. Each lifting beam is designed to extend across one end of the top of the containers to be lifted and has pairs of connectors designed to connect to the lifting sockets provided in the tops of the containers. Each lifting beam, or connecting beams extending between the lifting beams, have sockets for detachable connection with an associated crane or lifting machine to lift the adaptor and containers. Each lifting beam is also a continuous extendable component having first and second portions which are movable relative to each other.

A side lift spreader main beam (22) comprises a vertical carrier plate (58) having a first vertical height (H1) and being made of steel plate having a first thickness (T1); a C-beam (60) comprising a first horizontal flange (64) and a second horizontal flange (66) interconnected by a vertical web portion (68), the C-beam (60) having a second vertical height (H2) lower than the first vertical height (H1) and being made of steel plate having a second thickness (T2) thinner than the first thickness (T1), wherein the C-beam (60) defines, together with the carrier plate (58), a closed channel beam with a first flange (74) of the carrier plate (58) extending vertically from the closed channel beam; and an inclined support plate (62) welded to the carrier plate, and to an outer face of the first flange (64) of the C-beam (60) at a distance from the carrier plate (58).

A system for lifting shipping containers each having corner fittings provided with lifting/fastening apertures, the system including lifting means for lifting en masse a matrix of containers including two or more columns of vertically connected containers, each column being at least two containers high. The lifting means uses the lifting apertures provided on the top of the top container in each column, and connecting means are provided for connecting each column transversely to each adjacent column to hold the columns together and prevent toppling of the columns relative to each other. A method of lifting is also disclosed together with a lifting beam and trailer and for use in handling containers.

An adaptor including a pair of lifting beams for lifting two or more shipping containers in a side by side configuration, each container having corner fittings provided with lifting/fastening sockets. Each lifting beam is designed to extend across one end of the top of the containers to be lifted and has pairs of connectors designed to connect to the lifting sockets provided in the tops of the containers. Each lifting beam, or connecting beams extending between the lifting beams, have sockets for detachable connection with an associated crane or lifting machine to lift the adaptor and containers. Each lifting beam is also a continuous extendable component having first and second portions which are movable relative to each other.

Method for transferring standardized containers between a container ship and a quay, using harbor cranes such as a gantry crane, wherein during the entire maneuver, the longitudinal axes of the containers are perpendicular to the edge of the quay. In order to carry out said method, two items are used: a container ship where the standardized containers are arranged with the longitudinal axes thereof orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the ship, and a harbor crane such as a gantry crane used to transfer standardized containers in a position such that the longitudinal axes thereof are orthogonal to the edge of the quay; this allows the gap between legs of the crane to be smaller than that of current cranes as said gap depends on the arrangement of the container as it passes therethrough; thus, a higher number of cranes can operate on the same ship of the same length.