After thorough examination, Langh Ship’s invention was also acknowledged in the USA. The tweendeck method has previously been granted a European patent, as well as patents e.g. in Taiwan and South Africa. The company expects to receive further patents from many countries where patent office procedures take a longer time.
”This transportation method has also proved efficient in practice. Handling of the product is speeded up considerably, which improves the turnover of stocks. Another benefit for steel factories is that the method reduces cargo damages”, explains Hans Langh, Managing Director of the shipping company.
The methods developed by Langh Ship have also gathered recognition from insurance companies and can be viewed on the website of the British liability insurance company specialising in maritime transports, The UK P&I Club at:
http://www.ukpandi.com/ukpandi/infopool.nsf/HTML/LP
Cradle tweendecks strongly affect the movements of the ship, which reduces cargo damages and enhances safety at sea.
Owner of seven ships, Langh Ship has used its experience in steel transportation to focus on the development of new methods to further improve the services offered by the company. In co-operation with MacGREGOR, Langh Ship aims at marketing the inventions to other parties, too.
In 2003, Langh Ship was awarded in the category “Innovation in Ship Operations” in the Seatrade Awards Roll of Honour in London. At national level, the innovation has received a regional honourable mention in the “Productive Idea” competition organised by the Junior Chamber of Finland and the first prize in the InnoFinland competition for Southwest Finland.
Besides the cradle tweendecks, Managing Director Hans Langh has, together with the personnel, developed and patented specialised containers and plate transportation cassettes. These new intermodal units speed up the handling of steel products and reduce cargo damage.