Lift-Away Hatch Cover - Cargo Protection for Container and General Cargo Vessels

MacGregor lift-away hatch covers are the industry benchmark for structural integrity and turnaround speed on container ships and multi-purpose vessels. Engineered to handle the massive static and dynamic loads of modern container stacks, they maximise your cargo capacity while delivering reliable weathertight protection.

Container ships General cargo ships Multipurpose vessels
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Key benefits


MacGregor lift-away hatch covers maximise your vessel’s earning potential by combining optimised cargo capacity with proven structural performance and fast port turnarounds.

  • Maximised cargo capacity and revenue through optimised structural design that supports maximum container stack weights while reducing cover weight, allowing you to increase cargo intake.
  • Weathertight cargo protection using high-compression sealing systems that remain effective even under the extreme torsion of a fully loaded ship, preventing water ingress and cargo damage.
  • Reduced system weight and costs delivered by an optimised structural design methodology that lowers weight without compromising strength, improving fuel efficiency, and reducing GHG intensity.
  • Operational flexibility for diverse cargo types and segregation needs. Lift-away covers form functional cargo areas, support deck cargo operations, and enable flexible cargo intake between hold and deck.
  • Fast port turnarounds are enabled by rapid crane-operated panel handling and stackable designs that streamline cargo access and reduce time in port.

Together, these advantages make MacGregor lift-away hatch covers the proven choice for maximising cargo performance on container ships and general cargo vessels worldwide.

Key features


MacGregor lift-away hatch covers are designed using a holistic optimisation approach that considers the entire cargo system, not just the cover itself.

  • Single-panel and multi-panel designs (2 to 5 panels abreast) to suit different vessel widths and hatch opening configurations.
  • Weathertight and non-tight options with high-compression sealing systems that maintain integrity under extreme hull torsion.
  • Hoisting weight up to 45 tonnes per panel for efficient handling with shore-side container cranes or the vessel’s own cranes using a spreader.
  • Stackable on quay or ship’s deck for rapid stowage during cargo operations, minimising time in port.
  • Proprietary Flexipad and Polypad technology with advanced bearing pads that compensate for hull deformation, preventing chattering and wear on the coaming.
  • Customisable with special fittings including stanchion sockets for timber, container fittings, cement and grain feed hatches, and ventilation or water spray arrangements for dangerous cargoes.
  • Optimised structural design engineered to support maximum stack weights while reducing cover weight and cost, improving vessel fuel efficiency.

These features reflect MacGregor’s comprehensive system solution capability, combining innovative design with nearly a century of industry experience to deliver covers that perform reliably across the vessel’s lifetime.

 

MacGregor lift-away hatch covers are the industry benchmark for structural integrity and turnaround speed on container ships and multi-purpose vessels. gallery icon 1/1
  • Lifecycle Support

    MacGregor provides full lifecycle support for your lift-away hatch covers, from initial design and turnkey delivery through to modernisation and spare-part supply.

    Our worldwide service network ensures rapid technical assistance and retrofit expertise. For ageing fleets, MacGregor offers future-proofing solutions that extend vessel life without complete hatch cover replacement.

  • Technical Features

    • Cover type: Lift-away (pontoon type), crane operated
    • Panel configuration: Single-panel or multi-panel (2 to 5 abreast)
    • Hoisting weight: Up to 45 tonnes per panel
    • Operation: Spreader with shore-side or vessel cranes
    • Sealing: High-compression weathertight systems; non-tight options available
    • Bearing pads: Proprietary Flexipad and Polypad technology, also Lubripad and Steelpad available.
    • Special fittings: Stanchion sockets, container fittings, cement/grain hatches, ventilation/water spray
    • Tweendeck options: Cargo compartmentalisation with removable or foldable consoles

  • Ship Types

    The lift-away hatch covers are designed for:

    • Container ships (all sizes and ages, newbuild and retrofit)
    • General cargo ships (all sizes and ages, newbuild and retrofit)
    • Multipurpose vessels

  • Solution Types

    MacGregor offers lift-away hatch cover solutions tailored to your vessel type and cargo profile:

    • Single-panel and Multi-panel lift-away covers for general cargo vessels (2 to XX longitudinally)
    • Single and Multi-panel lift-away covers for container ships (2 to 5 panels abreast)
    • Weathertight and non-tight configurations
    • Tweendeck lift-away covers for cargo compartmentalisation
    • Covers with special fittings for timber, containers, or dangerous cargoes
    • Retrofit and modernisation packages for existing fleets

    Each solution benefits from MacGregor’s holistic design optimisation approach, considering the entire cargo system for maximum performance.

  • Complementary Solutions

    MacGregor lift-away hatch covers integrate with a full range of container stowage and cargo handling solutions:

     

    MacGregor is the only provider offering a comprehensive system solution capability across the entire cargo system.

  • References

    MacGregor lift-away hatch covers are trusted by the world’s leading container shipping lines, including MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, Seaspan, and CMA CGM. With a market-leading position built over nearly a century of innovation, MacGregor delivers proven reliability and customer satisfaction across global fleets.

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