2002-02-18

Kalmar Industries has received several new orders for its market leading sixth generation container straddle carriers (CSC) and its high-speed straddle carrier (HS) with proven AC technology. The most recent orders, which come from ports in North Africa, America, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands translate into 22 new machines to be delivered during 2002.

The state-owned Port of Casablanca in Morocco, the largest port in North Africa, has ordered seven new Kalmar sixth generation CSC diesel-hydraulic straddle carriers for use in its terminal while the Port of Agadir, 511 km to the south of Casablanca, has ordered one Kalmar straddle carrier. All eight machines will be delivered by the end of July. ODEP, the operator of the two ports, chose Kalmar machines because they offered the best technical solution and featured the latest technology. The machines, which are all three-high stacking, will feature a Cummins engine in addition to the standard sixth generation straddle carrier features.

The Port of Tacoma on the west coast of North America, has ordered eight new sixth generation CSC straddle carriers with an option (to be exercised within a year) to purchase four more. The order for the new diesel-hydraulic machines is part of an ongoing effort to modernise the terminal fleet. The straddle carriers, which are all three-high, are due for delivery in June 2002.

Tacoma is a cross continental rail hub with more than 70% of its international cargo coming from or going to central and eastern parts of North America. The new machines are to be used to shuffle containers between the Evergreen terminal, terminal 7 and the intermodal yard. The Port of Tacoma has pioneered the use of straddle carriers as an efficient container handling system where there is a rail interface. The improved visibility associated with the Smoothlift (patent pending) hoist system (which has longitudinal sheaves at the end of the spreader's lifting beams) means that loading/unloading double stack container railcars is easier and faster because driver's view toward the loadspace is considerably improved.

Ilkka Annala, Vice President Kalmar Straddle Carriers, Kalmar Industries comments:

"The success of the CSC sixth generation model is due to the fact that Kalmar has listened to, and taken into account, the needs of the customer. It is also a reflection of all the time and effort that went into the design process.

"Notably, the machine’s innovative features such as the Smoothlift (patent pending) hoist system that uses rope as a hoist mechanism as opposed to heavy chains, have proved very popular with customers across the globe."

The Port of Tacoma's order is especially significant as it marks its return to Kalmar as its preferred supplier of straddle carriers. Recognising the technological advances that have been made to the sixth generation straddle carrier, the port has placed this new order for eight new machines with Kalmar Industries.

Ilkka Annala, continues:

"The Port of Tacoma's personnel are very maintenance-orientated and take a very proactive role in product improvement. However, having taken into account all the options - ie whether to refurbish or replace its existing models, the port decided to replace its fleet.

"This decision was based on the fact that the machines already in operation at the terminal have, to date, logged in excess of 40,000 hours of service. The port also took into consideration the numerous savings and economies to be made by replacing the existing fleet with newer models. Specifically the availability of the sixth generation straddle carrier, with its Smoothlift hoist system, its long life ZF transmissions, and its 1,000 hours service interval has made unit replacement the logical choice.

"In addition, one factor that may have swung the deal in Kalmar's favour is the excellent after sales care and support the company offers. Kalmar's Tacoma branch office serves the west coast of America and provides an excellent source of help, advice, spare parts and service support."

In Finland, Kotka Steveco has placed an order for two, three-high CSC diesel-hydraulic straddle carriers for use in its new Mussalo Terminal on the southern coast of Finland. The machines are due for delivery in summer 2002.

Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals (RST) in the Netherlands has ordered two Kalmar HS 4 diesel electric straddle carriers. The machines, which are both one over three high and which incorporate single lift spreaders, and an increased size oil lubrication system and refill installation enabling the machines to go for 2500 hours before a service interval, will be delivered in March 2002. Rotterdam Sea Terminals has used Kalmar's diesel electric straddle carriers for many years, and still has many previous versions of this machine in operation. Kalmar delivered three identical HS machines to RST in 2001.

Tollerort Container-Terminals GmbH (TCT) in Hamburg, Germany has ordered two additional Kalmar HS 4 one over three high diesel electric straddle carriers to accompany the two units that have been in operation at the terminal for just under a year. The new machines will feature Kalmar twin lift spreaders. TCT has been a Kalmar straddle carrier customer since the 1980s.

Note to Editors

An electronic photograph to accompany this release is available and can be downloaded from the Dunelm PR website: www.dunelmpr.co.uk. The caption for this photograph reads:

"Kalmar Industries has received several new orders for its market leading sixth generation container straddle carriers (CSC) and its high-speed straddle carrier (HS) with proven AC technology. The most recent orders, which come from ports in North Africa, America, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands translate into 22 new machines to be delivered during 2002."

Kalmar is a global provider of heavy duty materials handling equipment and services to ports, intermodal traffic, terminals and demanding industrial customers. Kalmar focuses on supplying handling solutions that enable customers to operate with a high level of efficiency and reliability. Every fourth container or trailer transfer at terminals around the world is handled by a Kalmar machine. Kalmar provides a large range of value added services such as maintenance contracts and fleet management. Manufacturing plants are situated in Sweden (as is the head office), in Finland, in the USA, in the Netherlands and in Estonia.