Cargostore Worldwide, a global leader in DNV and ISO certified shipping containers, has announced an exclusive global distribution agreement with Griffin Special Projects Ltd. to bring the LiftaLoo — the next generation of portable welfare units — to the offshore energy sector.
This partnership directly addresses a persistent challenge in offshore operations: the lack of safe, hygienic, and inclusive toilet facilities on structures such as wind turbines and floating platforms.
Despite ongoing industry efforts, offshore crews have long faced compromised wellbeing and operational inefficiencies, often forced to wait for crew transfer vessels (CTVs) to access onboard facilities or rely on substandard chemical toilets.
The LiftaLoo, now part of Cargostore’s global offshore product range, introduces a practical ‘one crew, one loo’ model, allowing teams to transport welfare facilities as they move between structures.
Weighing just 212 kg and measuring 2200mm x 1092mm, the LiftaLoo features a LOLER-certified single lifting point and is constructed from recyclable Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), eliminating the need for external aluminium framing and reducing both weight and corrosion risk.
The shatterproof LLDPE body is engineered to withstand high-impact drops, ensuring durability in harsh offshore environments.
The LiftaLoo is the first portable welfare unit of its kind to offer hot water handwashing, powered by a patented low voltage rechargeable battery system that enables up to 224 hot washes per charge at the UK Carehome Standard of 40 degrees Celsius.
Each unit is equipped with a full suite of welfare features that meet the UK Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) strictest guidelines as standard, including:
- HSE-compliant sink
- Towel and biodegradable sanitary bin provision
- Patented magnetic-sealed toilet lid
- Raised toilet seat height with ergonomic heel step
- Emergency-releasable lock
- Ventilation and coat hooks
- Solar-powered lighting (≥100 lux)
- An optional water purification system to prevent stagnation and Legionella
- 87-litre sealed discharge tank with anti-leak technology (DIN 16194-compliant), removable without certified lifting equipment, accommodating up to 72 uses per tank
The patented single lifting point mechanism reduces lifting height by 80cm and eliminates the need for complex rigging, making the unit quick and easy to deploy from vessel to platform, and ensuring reliable access to high-quality sanitation wherever the job takes the crew.
Cargostore estimates that offshore technicians can currently spend up to 45 minutes per toilet break due to the time required for safe ladder descent, vessel transfer, and PPE changes.
This results in an estimated 1.4 hours of downtime per technician per shift, equating to a 17.5 per cent productivity loss.
By providing immediate, on-site access to welfare facilities, the LiftaLoo not only boosts efficiency but also improves staff wellbeing and reduces the risk of infection-related sick leave.
With demand rising across both onshore and offshore wind, this innovation meets the sector’s need for fit-for-purpose infrastructure.
The Global Wind Energy Council forecasts over 500,000 new technicians will be needed by 2028 to meet net zero goals, while only 21 per cent of offshore wind workers are currently women — highlighting the importance of inclusive welfare solutions.
Ekaterina Burge, Global Business Development Manager at Cargostore Worldwide, commented: “It’s well-recognised that working offshore places high physical and mental demands on personnel.
“Operators are committed to improving the working environment offshore, not only because of their duty of care but also due to the need to attract and retain a diverse new generation of talent to accelerate clean energy projects.”
Burge stated that, until now, the industry lacked a welfare solution truly tailored to its needs.
He described the new partnership with Griffin as a significant advancement, enabling operators to further improve offshore working conditions globally.
According to Burge, this innovation sets a new standard by providing offshore technicians with the dignity, comfort, and hygiene they deserve, while also meeting operators’ requirements for flexibility, productivity, lower emissions, and cost efficiency.
He emphasised that the large-scale availability of this unit signals a substantial shift for both workforce wellbeing and operational effectiveness in the offshore sector.
The LiftaLoo is now available globally through Cargostore, setting a new standard for offshore welfare and supporting the industry’s drive for safer, more inclusive, and more productive working environments.
