Shipping container supplier Cargostore Worldwide has signed an exclusive global distribution agreement with Griffin Special Projects to introduce a new portable welfare unit for the offshore market – the LiftaLoo.
The partnership addresses a long-standing challenge in offshore operations; the lack of safe and hygienic toilet facilities on structures such as wind turbines and floating platforms.
Despite industry efforts, this issue has continued to compromise crew well-being and site efficiency with personnel either having to wait for crew transfer vessels to return to the work sites before boarding and using the onboard facilities, or making use of lower standard chemical flush solutions.
Now part of Cargostore’s global offshore product offering, the 212kg LiftaLoo enables a practical “one crew, one loo” model, allowing teams to take it with them as they move across turbines and platforms.
The shatterproof body is designed to withstand high-impact drops, ensuring durability in demanding offshore environments.
The LiftaLoo is the first of its kind to feature hot water handwashing powered by a patented low voltage rechargeable battery system; enabling up to 224 hot washes per full charge at the UK Carehome Standard of 40 degrees.
Each unit includes a sink, towel and biodegradable sanitary bin provision, patented magnetic-sealed toilet lid, raised toilet seat height with ergonomic heel step, emergency-releasable lock, ventilation, coat hooks, solar powered lighting and an optional water purification system.
There is also an 87-litre sealed discharge tank fitted as standard with anti-leak technology, which is removable without the need for certified lifting equipment.
Cargostore has estimated that offshore technicians can currently spend up to 45 minutes per toilet break, owing to the time it takes for a safe ladder descent from the asset, vessel transfer, and PPE removal. This costs operators an estimated 1.4 hours of downtime per technician per shift which equates to a 17.5% productivity loss.
By enabling safe, hygienic and immediate access to on-site facilities, operators gain not only efficiency by eliminating the need to transfer crew back to a vessel for toilet breaks, but also improved staff well-being.
Cargostore Worldwide’s global business development manager Ekaterina Burge said: “Our new partnership with Griffin represents a strategic step forward allowing operators to continue to raise the bar for offshore working standards worldwide.
“This innovation redefines what’s possible; delivering the dignity, comfort and hygiene offshore technicians deserve with the flexibility, productivity performance, emission reduction and cost savings operators demand.
“The availability of such a unit for the first time at scale marks meaningful change for both personnel well-being and operational efficiency in the global offshore sector.”
Picture: Ekaterina Burge of Cargostore Worldwide with Griffin Special Projects’ Jon Aldiss, the engineer behind LiftaLoo