Author Archives: Alex Cottrell

Clydeport Ocean Terminal

Project Details

End User

Clydeport Ocean Terminal

Operator

Peel Ports Group

Contractor

Rapid Rail

Key Benefits

Future-proofed the port’s operations
Enhanced capacity to meet increased demand from cargo owners
Supported economic and employment opportunities in the Inverclyde area
Prepared the terminal for the integration of new state-of-the-art crane
Been delivered within budget and agreed timescales

As part of a major infrastructure and modernisation project at the Ocean Terminal in Greenock, Peel Ports was faced with upgrading an aging and deteriorating quayside crane rail system. The existing infrastructure needed to be brought up to standards that would comply with the operating tolerances required for two new £25 million ship-to-shore cranes. Initial surveys and assessments revealed that simple remedial works would not suffice – a full redesign and re-rail was necessary.

This represented a significant challenge as:
• The port remained operational throughout the project
• The terminal handles approximately one-third of all containers entering Scotland
• Work needed to be completed in phases to minimise disruption
• The project was part of the largest single investment for the container terminal since operations began in 1969.

The Gantrail Solution
Rapid Rail, the lead contractor for this project, subcontracted Gantrail specifically for the supply of critical components including clips, pads, sole plates, and anchor bolts. The Gantrail system was specified for this critical infrastructure project due to its proven reliability and specialised design capabilities.

Working closely with installation partner Rapid Rail, Gantrail provided:
• High-performance crane rail components engineered to meet the precise specifications of the new ship-to-shore cranes
• Technical expertise from tender stage through to delivery
• Consistent quality materials with reliable lead times
• Assistance in providing a specialised galvanised angle design incorporated into the system to allow for concrete reinstatement as required by the client.

Implementation
The project was executed in carefully planned phases to accommodate the operational requirements of the busy port facility. Rapid Rail managed the installation process, working through challenging Scottish winter conditions while maintaining strict construction timelines. The full replacement of the quayside rails began in late 2023, with teams navigating unexpected site issues typical of major infrastructure projects.

Jamie McGilvray, Director at Rapid Rail comments “Working at a busy Port always brings challenges and it has been no different working at Clydeport. We began the full replacement of the quayside rails in late 2023 and have had to contend with the Scottish winter, tight construction programmes and the unexpected site issues that major projects throw up. Working with Gantrail has once again provided us with the continuity in service and specialist products that we have come to expect. We have worked together closely from tender stage on the technical aspects of the project through to delivery, and the quality of the materials and lead times have always been consistently good. This has allowed us to be able to effectively plan our resources and installation timescales – resulting in another successful project installing Gantrail products.”

The Benefits
The modernised crane rail system has successfully:

  • Future-proofed the port’s operations
  • Enhanced capacity to meet increased demand from cargo owners
  • Supported economic and employment opportunities in the Inverclyde area
  • Prepared the terminal for the integration of new state-of-the-art cranes
  • Been delivered within budget and agreed timescales

James McSporran, Director of Clydeport at Peel Ports Group agrees, “The arrival of our new cranes later this year represents a really important milestone in the history of Clydeport. They will be key in future-proofing the port, as well as helping us meet increased demand from cargo owners and fostering continued economic and employment opportunities in the Inverclyde area.”

“Gantrail is committed to building successful industry partnerships and this project is a great example of this” says Malcolm Gray, Gantrail Estimating and Contracts Director. “Being invited by Rapid Rail to participate in the project is indeed flattering and gave us the opportunity to bring our experience and knowledge to aid in the execution of the overall project to the client’s satisfaction.”

Team Gantrail: Building Success Through Collaboration

Teamwork and collaboration continue to be key drivers of the Gantrail brand, our purpose and our approach. Last week’s sales meeting and team away day provided valuable opportunities to strengthen these connections and align our efforts.

As Managing Director Peter Bygrave explains “Last week, we had a truly productive and inspiring couple of days at Gantrail. Our quarterly sales meeting allowed the team to reflect on our first quarter and strategize for the months ahead. We’re optimistic about the exciting projects we’re working on with our global distributors and remain confident in the trust our customers place in our products and service.

The following day, we brought the whole company together for some well-deserved team building—a fantastic mix of clay pigeon shooting, lunch, crazy golf, and a quiz. It was the perfect opportunity to unwind, foster collaboration, and strengthen relationships across the business. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s clear our team spirit is stronger than ever! A big thank you to everyone who participated and made these events such a success. Here’s to continuing to achieve great things together in 2025!”

Welcoming Bailey Townsend to the team

It’s a new year and time to introduce a new member of our team. Bailey Townsend joined us recently as Junior Estimator, a new role which we have created as part of our strategic plans to strengthen our customer service and sales function.

In his previous role as an Assistant Site Manager, Bailey gained extensive hands-on experience in managing diverse aspects of construction projects. He was responsible for handling customer service interactions, overseeing defect management processes, and coordinating team activities across the site. His strong teamwork abilities and problem-solving skills proved instrumental in delivering projects on schedule and within budget constraints. He also developed valuable expertise in project cost management, consistently ensuring optimal value for money while maintaining high quality standards.

And of his new role, Bailey says “I’m really pleased to be joining the team and can’t wait to collaborate with such a skilled and passionate group of professionals. I’m particularly excited about developing my expertise in a new industry while working on innovative solutions for our clients. Being able to play a key role in driving successful project outcomes really motivates me, and I’m looking forward to building meaningful relationships with my colleagues, clients, and partners along the way.”

Welcome to the team Bailey. We look forward to seeing the impacts you will make and helping us deliver outstanding customer support.

GANTRAIL CONTINUES TO INVEST IN TALENT, BUILDING SUCCESSFUL CAREER PATHWAYS FOR THE TEAM

Our greatest asset is our people. We’re committed to nurturing talent, recognising excellence, and creating meaningful career paths that allow our colleagues to grow and thrive. So, it’s wonderful to share the news of Jonathan Wade’s well-deserved promotion to Estimating Manager.

Since joining the Gantrail team a couple of years ago, Jonathan has consistently demonstrated outstanding technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His progression from Sales Coordinator to Estimating Manager exemplifies the growth opportunities we strive to create within our team, retaining real talent and building careers for life.

Speaking of the promotion, Jonathan’s Manager, Malcolm Gray, Contracts and Estimating Director, says “Jonathan has integrated himself into the company with particular ease and is certainly making his mark with a welcome level of conscientiousness and hard work, which is justly rewarded.”

And what does Jonathan think of his achievement? “I am delighted to have the opportunity to take on the role of Estimating Manager, using my experience from the last 16 months in the company to help expand the Estimating Team and continue to improve our customer service and enquiry response levels.”

Please join us in congratulating Jonathan on this milestone. We’re excited to see him excel in this new chapter of his Gantrail career.

#Cranerail #Expertise #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership

TOC Europe 2024 set a strong foundation for innovation and connection

Having just returned from a highly worthwhile few days in Rotterdam at TOC Europe 2024, I would like to say thank you to the many people who visited our stand and took the time to meet with our teams.

The three-day exhibition was incredibly busy, and we thoroughly enjoyed the high level of interest in our problem-solving products and some interesting and engaging discussions with customers, partners, and fellow sector specialists. A special thanks goes out to everyone who participated in our product naming competition by submitting their business cards. The votes have been counted, and we will be announcing both the new product name and the competition winner shortly.

This year’s event was another fantastic experience and the first where we showcased our new stand which was a real hit with visitors. We received a lot of positive feedback, especially regarding our evolutionary new Boom Hinge System which we chose to launch at the show.   Attendees appreciated how our innovative design can help address their problems and prolong the life of their short rail systems. We look forward to engaging with our customers in the coming months as we bring this product to market.

We’re committed to providing innovative solutions and maintaining strong relationships with our customers. We are excited about the future and the opportunities to continue delivering exceptional products and services, and forums such as TOC give us a great platform, from which to do this. All in all, it was the perfect three days, and we’re already looking forward to the next event.

Many thanks

Peter Bygrave