Cavotec ties up mooring deal with Rio unit

Christchurch-based Cavotec MoorMaster has secured a deal with a Rio Tinto subsidiary that will see its vacuum mooring units installed on a Western Australian fuel wharf. Photo / Martin Sykes

Christchurch-based Cavotec MoorMaster has secured a deal with a Rio Tinto subsidiary that will see its vacuum mooring units installed on a Western Australian fuel wharf.

The firm says its vacuum technology eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines, and enhances safety for personnel and crews working on wharves through eliminating vessel movement caused by waves.

Under the deal announced yesterday, Cavotec would install eight mooring units at Hammersley Iron's Dampier Fuel Wharf, at Dampier Port, 1600km north of Perth.

Cavotec MSL chief executive Ottonel Popesco said the new project would be challenging for both the MoorMaster technical team and Hammersley Iron staff.

"This flourishing joint effort marks a watershed in the continuing development of the MoorMaster technology," he said.

Mike Howie, technology manager for Cavotec Moormaster, said the Dampier Port project would demonstrate the safety and operational benefits of the firm's vacuum mooring units. Forsyth Barr analyst Jeremy Simpson said the deal was a positive sign for future sales of the MoorMaster system.

"The MoorMaster product is something we expect will provide quite good growth for Cavotec in the medium to long term," he said. "To start getting confirmation of new sales like this is encouraging."

The vacuum units were being slowly introduced into facilities around the world, Simpson said.

Cavotec MSL's share price closed steady at $2.85 yesterday.