History

For a more detailed history, please download our free book Australian Innovation in Cargo Containerisation - innovation that led the world.

Shannon experience with container cranes precedes the introduction of ISO containers. From 1959 small D containers were featured in coastal trade and in 1964 Australia’s first cellular ship ran regular coastal trade routes.

The largest Australian containers were 16 ft 8 inches long 8 ft wide and 8 ft high. Along with these, other cells provided for the small D containers that are only 6 ft wide and 3 ft 10 inches long. They were stowed and handled in groups of five. In addition 6 ft wide car pallets were also accommodated. All of these were handled by the two deck gantry cranes using clever adjustable width spreaders

Cranes were placed in Fremantle (above), Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. They also went overseas to Auckland, Wellington Lyttleton and Port Chalmers and Can Ram Bay. Crane parts were also sent to Hong Kong. Shannon Engineers has played a leading role in the development of cranes in Australia and this knowledge has placed them as the leaders in the industry.

The crane at right was designed and commissioned by Jim Shannon of Shannon Engineers. This twinlift crane has advanced features that are not available in the new versions today.

With the experience of the smaller boxes to draw on, the introduction of the ISO containers to Australia was seamless and easy. It started with technology that has only reached other parts of the world in the last few years. The crane shown here worked the first oveseas ISO container ship to visit Australia and the many that followed

Cranes were placed in Fremantle (above), Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. They also went overseas to Auckland, Wellington Lyttleton and Port Chalmers and Can Ram Bay. Crane parts were also sent to Hong Kong. Shannon Engineers has played a leading role in the development of cranes in Australia and this knowledge has placed them as the leaders in the industry.