RAM Spreaders – Safer, Smarter Pipe Handling
The challenge
Manual pipe handling in ports and offshore operations presents serious safety risks. Workers face hazards such as:
- Falling and swinging loads, especially during stowage or transfer between vessels
- Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive lifting and adjusting
- Exposure to suspended loads and moving vehicles on the quayside
- Human error, including incorrect lashing or uneven tension, leading to unsecured cargo
These risks are compounded by unpredictable sea conditions and the physical demands of aligning heavy pipes manually.
The innovation
The RAM Pipe Handling Spreader offers a fully mechanised solution for lifting, securing, and transporting pipes - eliminating the need for manual lashing.
Key features include:
- Automatic latching and unlatching, reducing direct contact with pipes
- 360° gyroscopic control, allowing precise placement via remote control
- Load sensors and locking pins, ensuring balanced and secure lifts
- Redundant safety systems, including weight detection and onboard cameras
- Compatibility with various pipe sizes, handling up to three pipes at once
This innovation significantly reduces injury risk, improves operational control, and enhances efficiency.
How it works
RAM collaborated with a customer on a major offshore project between Indonesia and Australia. The spreader was deployed at Batam Port to load pipes into vessel hatches and installed on shipboard cranes for mid-sea transfers. The system handled pipes up to 12.7 metres long and 1.5 metres in diameter, streamlining operations across multiple transfer points.
Case study
The spreader played a key role in improving safety and productivity throughout the project. By removing manual handling from the process, RAM helped reduce downtime, avoid injuries, and ensure consistent, secure pipe transfers. The solution was well received by operators and integrated seamlessly into existing workflows.
Potential impact
For industries reliant on pipe transport - such as offshore energy, construction, and heavy industry - RAM’s automatic spreader offers:
- Reduced injury risk and compensation claims
- Faster, more reliable operations
- Lower downtime and improved safety compliance
- Long-term cost savings and operational resilience
- Date
- 22/07/2025
