by David Lowe
Page 54
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Year Book updated
A USEFUL book containing much valuable information for the container operator is published this month. The 1970 edition of the Containerization Year Book contains chapters on: World progress report; Labour, the year's key subject: Area reviews; Container equipment; Container handling equipment ; Choosing and loading; Container software; Air cargo containers; The immediate future. The first two chapters are of particular interest because they cover the background to the rise of the container industry and the labour problems which this has caused.
Later chapters cover in some detail the structure and inspection of containers, refrigeration. handling equipment, loading to avoid damage, documentation, container marking and containers for air freight. The chapters are all well illustrated with many excellent photographs and diagrams.
Four extensive appendices cover a glossary of terms, a list of over-the-road-use regulations for countries accepting containers, a cargo conversion table and finally up-to-date lists of organizations concerned with containerization and container manufacture.
The book is published by the National Magazine Co. Ltd. at 63s.
Dunkirk sailings overbooked'
THE near chaos at Harwich which Norman Douglas mentioned in his Container Commentary (CM November 14) has been confirmed by British Railways. More containers have been offered for the five weekly Harwich-Dunkirk sailings than can be conveniently handled at Parkeston Quay. As a result the number of containers carried has been restricted to 30 for each sailing.
A booking system has been instituted from this month and plans in hand to improve the service include the provision of more trailers for port working.
Cleaning service
A NEW SERVICE providing cleaning facilities for aluminium panelled containers has been introduced by Thomsfield Industries Ltd.. 19 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2. On-thespot cleaning can be carried out during loading or unloading operations.
Exterior cleaning of a 30ft container takes little more than 20 minutes and at a cost of £2, £3 and £4 respectively for 20ft, 30ft and 40ft containers, this is a reasonable proposition for maintaining a company image.
LASH vessel due
THE LASH (lighter aboard ship) vessel, Acadia Forest, originally due at the beginning of the month, is now scheduled to arrive from New Orleans today. The first of its type to enter British waters, the ship will anchor off Sheerness and its 28 400-ton-cargo carrying lighters will be off-loaded by giant onboard cranes and towed down river to discharge points.
This new shipping system, more revolutionary even than containerization, is claimed to have many advantages. Freedom from delays entering port due to tides or strikes is one, and the relief from high port charges, due in the case of container ships to the enormous capital cost of estabIrshing container terminals, is another.
New service to Ireland
BRITISH RAILWAYS have introduced a new high-capacity container service between Fishguard and Waterford.
It links major industrial centres in Great Britain with Irish markets through the Freightliner system and gives a 48-hour, or better, door-to-door delivery with less risk of damage or pilferage.
The service is operated by the container ship Harrogate which will leave Fishguard on Tues
days. Thursdays and Saturdays. .
The service will carry 20ft Freightliner noninsulated S-type containers fitted with side and end doors and L-type fitted with end doors only. Privately owned 20ft ISO containers and Freightliner non-ISO open containers will also be accepted.
The gross weight of containers will be limited to 134tons.