Progressing towards a digitalized port
Hamburg as a port and logistics hot spot. The aim is to boost its competitiveness, to optimize processes and to mobilize resources more effectively. ...
The classic container is considered as the most significant innovation for the transport of products and goods of the past decades. Through its practical design it has contributed to the development of trade flows on international routes and worldwide sea trades. The triumphal march of the standardized box is still underway today.
Cargo handling has multiplied since 1968. As a result, safety risks during transportation have risen too. This called for innovations in securing cargo to guarantee protection in all hazardous situations.
As a specialist for protection and safety, Hamburg- based MEC Container Safety Systems offers appropriate solutions for transport worldwide. The products for equipping and lashing containers go far beyond the commercially available semi-automatic twistlocks.
“We offer customized container securing products developed by our own in-house engineers. From initial brainstorming to the actual design, from the prototype to type approval, leading to customized solutions,” explains Lennart Horstmann, MEC CEO.
Founded in 1988, the company is already managed in the second generation by CEO Horstmann – supported by sales director Cordula Ahlers. “We act for both logistics and shipping companies worldwide. Meanwhile, we have extended our operations, adding a branch in Singapore to service the Asian safety market with our customized products,” stresses Cordula Ahlers.
“As a self-sufficient provider we possess impressive manufacturing facilities, including in-house casting, swagging and welding facilities. This broad manufacturing base ensures single-source reliability,” adds Lennart Horstmann.
MEC stands out with its own product design, matching patents and reliable after-sales service. “We make safety plannable and as a result calculable. We cover almost all customer needs. Our staff are also skilled in upgrading existing systems,” adds Lennart Horstmann.
MEC not only takes care of container safety, but also offers fixed and loose lashing equipment for RORO/ PCTC vessels. “Utilizing flexible manufacturing capabilities, we fabricate custom-dimensioned lashing fittings in cast or welded designs for stationary onboard installation. All structural details are closely coordinated with the shipbuilder to ensure efficient and technically sound implementation,” explains Cordula Ahlers. “We offer car and truck lashings in a wide variety of permissible loads, colours, lengths and with customer-specific I.D. printing. Further, lashing chains, trailer horses and many more articles are part of our product portfolio,” states the sales boss.
MEC is active in many more areas similar to container and RoRo lashings. The company has been expanding parts of its production in Europe over the past two years. This has made it possible to maintain deliveries during the supply bottlenecks of recent years. Meanwhile, MEC products are being manufactured with customer-specific requirements in Europe and, as a consequence, participation in research projects to optimize existing systems.
After the turbulent years of the Corona Pandemic, the company is on an expansion course and will be moving this summer to larger premises in Hamburg’s Bahrenfeld district