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Collapsible containers dropped
NorthLink has dropped plans for collapsible containers for the transport of livestock and has commissioned a more standard design.
Commercial director Gareth Crichton said the company had commissioned a prototype, now in construction, of a design "akin to a road-going float."
The new containers have moved from 20 feet back to 40 feet in size, and when the two-tier prototype is ready at the end of September it will enter a period of monitoring with input from the industry. The collapsible containers could not always be stacked into two tiers and did not prove satisfactory.
The new design will house cattle on the bottom tier and sheep above, or two tiers of sheep.
Mr Crichton said: "Although we have lost a degree of flexibility we have gained capacity and hopefully will have a more robust solution. The approval for use on the route will only come when the state veterinary service sees it and recommends any further amendments.
"We have been working with groups from Shetland and Orkney to develop the containers and will do a run with them to see what happens regarding temperature and humidity. They need to be able to perform under peak season conditions."
About 48 containers would be needed, Mr Crichton said.
NFUS Shetland chairman John Abernethy welcomed the advent of the new containers.
He said: "The industry has given the thumbs-up to the concept. We've been asking for two-tier containers for some time.
"The concept of the collapsible crates was OK but unworkable. Because of the bolts and hinges which made the crates collapsible it was difficult to keep the animal effluent in - and because they were small be needed a lot of crates to do the same job.
"We are very happy with the big units. The top tier acts like a house for the bottom tier, and although the top is open it can be covered if necessary. It is a good multi-purpose system."
Mr Abernethy praised NorthLink for its help in developing the new containers, which have a top half made in Inverurie and a bottom half made in Poland. The two halves are fixed together.
He said: "NorthLink knows about moving livestock and has been helpful every step of the way. The double-stacking design will keep things flowing which was something the single-stacking design couldn't. We are very positive about it and it's been a long time coming."
Commercial director Gareth Crichton said the company had commissioned a prototype, now in construction, of a design "akin to a road-going float."
The new containers have moved from 20 feet back to 40 feet in size, and when the two-tier prototype is ready at the end of September it will enter a period of monitoring with input from the industry. The collapsible containers could not always be stacked into two tiers and did not prove satisfactory.
The new design will house cattle on the bottom tier and sheep above, or two tiers of sheep.
Mr Crichton said: "Although we have lost a degree of flexibility we have gained capacity and hopefully will have a more robust solution. The approval for use on the route will only come when the state veterinary service sees it and recommends any further amendments.
"We have been working with groups from Shetland and Orkney to develop the containers and will do a run with them to see what happens regarding temperature and humidity. They need to be able to perform under peak season conditions."
About 48 containers would be needed, Mr Crichton said.
NFUS Shetland chairman John Abernethy welcomed the advent of the new containers.
He said: "The industry has given the thumbs-up to the concept. We've been asking for two-tier containers for some time.
"The concept of the collapsible crates was OK but unworkable. Because of the bolts and hinges which made the crates collapsible it was difficult to keep the animal effluent in - and because they were small be needed a lot of crates to do the same job.
"We are very happy with the big units. The top tier acts like a house for the bottom tier, and although the top is open it can be covered if necessary. It is a good multi-purpose system."
Mr Abernethy praised NorthLink for its help in developing the new containers, which have a top half made in Inverurie and a bottom half made in Poland. The two halves are fixed together.
He said: "NorthLink knows about moving livestock and has been helpful every step of the way. The double-stacking design will keep things flowing which was something the single-stacking design couldn't. We are very positive about it and it's been a long time coming."
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