Bulk carriers
Folding hatch covers Folding hatch covers are used on Handysize and Handymax bulk carriers, where it is particularly important to maximise hatch dimensions in relation to the ship’s breadth. MacGregor’s reliable and proven folding hatch cover technology allows for efficient and safe cargohandling operations. This is especially important in remote ports, where maintenance services may not be available at short notice. In MacGregor’s product range, the name ‘hydraulic folding cover’ refers to a hatch cover consisting of two panels connected by hinges to form a folding pair. They are operated by hydraulic cylinders. In many cases, the hatch cover comprises two folding pairs. One pair is stowed at the aft end of the hatch and the other at the forward end. The hydraulic cylinders act directly on the end hinge arms, which are connected to stools on the deck. When the cylinders push the end panel up from the closed position, the cover folds and the second panel, fitted
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with wheels, rolls on rails to the stowed position. The folded panels are usually secured in the open position by semi-automatic locking devices interacting with the wheel arms. MacGregor recommends a double-skin panel design for folding hatch covers. This has a smooth lower surface, making it easy to clean the inner skin that faces down towards the cargo hold. This speeds up the cleaning process between cargoes and enables shorter port turnarounds. A single-skin construction is prone to collecting cargo residue, which increases cleaning work. The dimensions of other deck machinery, for example cranes, have to be carefully taken into account when designing the hatch cover arrangement and its stowage. MacGregor hatch covers when designed in combination with MacGregor cranes, ensure a highly-efficient, wellfunctioning deck arrangement.