Kalmar Industries, the world leading manufacturer of mobile container handling equipment, has received its first order from Turkey for rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTG). Kumport - the country largest private port - has ordered two Kalmar machines. Both will be installed with Kalmar Smartrail autosteering and container position verification system and Kalmar Remote Crane Monitoring System (RCMS).
Pictured, one of five Kalmar RTGs recently delivered to Port of Livorno Container Terminal in Italy. Like those ordered by Kumport, these machines are fully equipped with Kalmar Smartrail autosteering and container position verification system.
In addition, the port has also ordered two Kalmar TTX-182LHD, 4x2 terminal tractors. These machines will work alongside the RTGs transporting containers between the quayside and the container stack.
The new machines are due to be delivered during the last quarter of 2002 and the first quarter of 2003.
Marking Kumport step away from a reachstacker handling system in favour of an RTG operation, the new RTGs are to be used within an area of the port that was previously used for handling bulk cargo. This area, now dedicated to container
storage, is expected to handle approximately 300,000 TEU per annum. Able to stack containers more densely than is possible with reachstackers, the newly adopted RTG system will enable the port operator to make more efficient use of the space available within the terminal. Both of the RTGs on order for Kumport are 7+1 wide and 1 over 5 high.
In making the decision to adopt an RTG handling system, representatives from Kumport terminal operator looked at a number of different manufacturers’ machines before choosing Kalmar units. A visit to another terminal to see Kalmar units in operation was also undertaken before the decision to invest in Kalmar RTGs was made.
As Keijo Parviainen, Vice President, Kalmar Yard Cranes explains, what they were shown during their visit had a significant impact on their decision to invest in Kalmar machinery:
“Being able to see Kalmar RTGs in action really helped Kumport come to a decision about whether or not our machines would provide the best handling solution for them. It was a very worthwhile and useful visit for all concerned.
As mentioned previously, both of the new RTGs have been equipped with Kalmar Smartrail autosteering and container position verification system and its Remote Crane Monitoring System (RCMS).
Kalmar's revolutionary Smartrail system is based on a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) which, once the RTG operator activates the automated steering, steers the crane along a pre-determined path. This enables the exact position of the RTG to be calculated to within +10cm (2 inches). By automating the steering,
Smartrail technology enables the driver to travel at maximum speed between lifts and to concentrate fully on picking up or setting down containers. The net result is faster and safer operations.
By being linked to the yard management system, Smartrail also eliminates the need for drivers to type in location parameters manually for the containers being stacked. No matter whether the container is being stacked for the first time, having arrived by ship or by truck, or is being shuffled as the crane seeks a particular box, Smartrail verifies the container positions automatically. In real terms, Smartrail enables ports and terminals to keep their turnaround times, for both vessels and trucks, down to an absolute minimum.
Enabling machine operations to be monitored remotely, in real time, by a single operator in the terminal control room, Kalmar Remote Crane Monitoring System (RCMS) is a useful tool. It also enables real time support and assistance if required, directly from the factory.
-ends-
Note to Editors:
A 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:
“Pictured, one of five Kalmar RTGs recently delivered to Port of Livorno Container Terminal in Italy. Like those ordered by Kumport, these machines are fully equipped with Kalmar Smartrail autosteering and container position verification system.
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.
For further information, please contact:
Kalmar Industries
Communications Manager
aija.kalander@kalmarind.com
Alternatively more information can be asked from:
David Cheslin or Karen Baxter at
Dunelm Public Relations on:
tel: +44 20 7480 0600.
E-mail: info@dunelmpr.co.uk