Shift change after 50 years – the new ship loader has arrived in Narvik
After nearly 50 years of service, it is time for the ship loader U5 in Narvik to be replaced. The new LKAB blue ship loader arrived at the port of Narvik at the end of July and now work has begun on assembly and preparations. The new ship loader has better performance than its predecessor and will be a boost for both the environment and the work environment.
After almost 50 years, the main loader U5 will be replaced. U5 was put into service in 1977 and has become a landmark for Narvik, as it is the first thing you encounter when driving into the town from the south. The reason for the replacement of the ship loader is that U5 has reached its end of life and with it, a new LKAB blue ship loader with better environmental performance can take over.
“The new ship loader is adapted based on CE regulations for both the external environment and the work environment. It is also optimised for more efficient maintenance and is encapsulated. There will also be minimal downtime during maintenance”, says Marit Waleniussen, CEO of LKAB Norway.
“The design is based on the newer but smaller U7. We’ve had a great focus on ensuring that maintenance work is carried out quickly and efficiently, and therefore many different functions have been included in the preparatory work”, says project manager Stig Arne Larssen.
The new loader is profiled in LKAB blue and thus differs from the old rust-red one, which has now been dismantled and will be shipped to Gulen, Bergen, where it will be reused to load stone and gravel for another company.
“The old U5 was at the quay before it was shipped, and many Narvik residents were able to get up close and look at it. It was a real crowd pleaser, and many were surprised by how enormous it is, you didn’t really realise that when it was in place”, says Stig Arne Larssen.
The large wreath that the old loader rested on has been retained and renovated so that the new loader can be mounted in the same place. The old crane rail from the 70s is also being replaced. The new U5 was delivered at the end of July and will be ready to be put into use in the autumn.
