Report#: 180121-5

Issued date: 31-Jan-2018

Cracks in all STS spreaders – BROMMA, STS45, Tie Rod Assembly, Tie Plate

1. Problem Description
NCT owned 19 STS spreaders, BROMMA is the manufacturer, type STS45. Starting Jun, 2017, the maintenance
team had observed that there is a crack in the spreader Tie plate, from the top and extended to the side.

Cracked area in the Tie Plate

STS45 – Tie Rod Assembly

2. Initial Maintenance Action

The team highlighted the issue and reported the case to the spreaders’ OEM (BROMMA), who respond with a
procedure of replacement the current cracked ones with a new modified complete tie rod assembly.

The OEM (BROMMA) also highlighted that it’s NOT recommended to repair these cracks.

Maintenance Department Prepared by: Nagdy

Asset Management Organization
Ref. NCT Asset Maintenance Standard -2018, Ch.12
Page 1 of 3
 Report#: 180121-5
Issued date: 31-Jan-2018

3. Troubleshooting Steps
The maintenance team immediately checked the area on all spreaders, As a result: all spreaders have the same
crack with different severity – as shown in the below photos (till end of Jan, 2018).

Maintenance Department Prepared by: Nagdy

Asset Management Organization
Ref. NCT Asset Maintenance Standard -2018, Ch.12
Page 2 of 3
 Report#: 180121-5
Issued date: 31-Jan-2018

4. Problem Containment
Survey all working spreaders in order to evaluate the severity and the criticality of each individual crack, and keep
monitoring them until reaching the real root cause and then implement the suitable corrective actions.

5. Root Cause Analysis

Initially, The OEM (BROMMA) stating that:

“Damage in this area is caused by excessive lateral forces due to massive impact on the gable end that exceeded
the design criteria. The crack on the Tie Rod is a direct result of the forces being transferred through the Gable end
via the TBU to the locking pin while in twin mode. New parts will need to be ordered and it's advised to replace the
Tie rod, as it is not recommended to repair”.

6. Corrective Measures Formulation

Keeping that area under continuous monitoring and shortened the inspection interval from a monthly basis to
weekly basis

7. Corrective Measures Implementation

In-progress.

8. Preventive Measures and Required Future Actions

Replace all Tie rod assembly with another strengthened ones.

**End of the Report**

Maintenance Department Prepared by: Nagdy

Asset Management Organization
Ref. NCT Asset Maintenance Standard -2018, Ch.12
Page 3 of 3