Container straddle carrier
TWIN-40 BUFFERSTATIONTM MACHINE Paceco

The BufferStationTM machine is a new product of PACECO® Corp. that improves quayside operations by raising productivity, increasing safety and security, and managing inventory. Computer simulations have established that the BufferStation machine will theoretically boost productivity by 50% by separating the ship operation and yard operation.

The BufferStation machine resides below the portal beams of a quay crane, straddling the truck lanes (see Figure below). Any typical 100 ft (30.5 m) gauge Post-Panamax quay crane can accomodate the BufferStation machine. The BufferStation machine is a standalone device that can be installed with minimal modifications to existing facilities, therefore there are no lengthly or costly integration procedures.

In a standard unloading operation, the quay crane moves a container from the ship and deposits it on the BufferStation machine's platform. Here, the container is considered "in buffer," so other operations can be performed, such as IBC (inter-box connector) service. The BufferStation machine then uses a straddle hoist to move the container from it's platform to trucks at the wharf surface.

The longshoremen work in a protected area on the platform of the BufferStation machine. This means they are isolated from the dangerous area on the quay where many chassis come and go and where heavy containers pass overhead.