Meeting with Hammar’s owner and Chairman, Mr. Bengt-Olof Hammar, we learn why this sideloader is likely to be classified as a disruptive technology. With the only SOLAS compliant application of this kind, the future looks bright for the Swedes.

We meet the energetic founder of Hammar at his booth, in the outdoor areal on a sunny Saturday morning. The weather seems to be a reflection of the mood as he is clearly proud to be the only sideloader manufacturer that has achieved SOLAS compliance. As at March 2016, SOLAS 1974 has 162 contracting States, which flag about 99% of merchant ships around the world in terms of gross tonnage. The latest amendment to the maritime laws stipulate that the weight of any container being loaded onto a ship has to be submitted 24 hours prior to entering the port.

What Hammar has done, after this radical change was announced in November 2014, was to source a system that allows to weight the container to be weighted while being lifted. The scale is build into the sideloader and users can opt to use paper print-outs or to add an app that would transmit the results immediately via the internet. This means, that operators will no longer have to rely on weigh-bridges which may not operate 24 hours or are located far away from the port. In addition, this new sideloader can be used to determine the weight of the goods carried for invoicing. With a tolerance on +/- 50Kg, it is also far ahead of the tolerance currently allowed in the transition period in which transporters need to get ready to comply with SOLAS. While the added function will increase the cost of the sideloader by some 10 000 Euro, it also means that operators will save the fees imposed by weigh-bridges.

“We constantly innovate, we are never happy with where we are. We look into every aspect of the sideloader: the materials used, the way it is fabricated and the way it is operated” Hammar said. Launched in parallel with the new Scania, Hammar’s 160S is able to lift some 36 tonnes while the actual sideloader is only weighing in at 6990 Kg, making it the world’s lightest. “This means you can have a higher payload, save fuel, save natural resources and you may save on road taxes where the fees are based on the vehicle weight,’ he explained.

“Our motto is “Any Box, anytime, anywhere” and this has been a driving force for the business for a long time,” he added. According to him, there are Hammar sideloaders that can even manage highly specialised containers and the 53” containers commonly used in the USA. While the vehicle on display is from GDH, which was the first to order the new SOLAS compliant Hammar, there is more to be expected from the IAA. “We have been here since 1998 and are the only ones providing such tool. Others may lift, but can’t transport. Hammars do both.” At the IAA, Hammar hopes to get in touch with new customers, which may now look at the sideloader as an answer to their problems in complying with new regulations.

He also praised the work done in Malaysia as “The new workshop has allowed us to lift our service to a new level. It is a great location, great concept and we are happy with the development in Malaysia. Chris and Eugene are doing a superb job!”