Terminal Pacífico Sur Valparaiso (TPS) in Chile and Terminal Container Athus (TCA) in Belgium have become the first container handling facilities to place orders for Kalmar new all-electric RTG, the E-One. The orders come within just eight weeks of the product launch.
TPS has opted for two 7+1 wide machines capable of lifting 1 over 5 containers and featuring Kalmar Smartrail autosteering and container position verification system, as well as remote monitoring interface. The machines, due for delivery in November 2005, represent a key step in the terminal operator strategy to convert to an RTG system. TPS has also indicated that more orders will be on the way in a year or so to handle its growing container throughput, which currently stands at 360,000TEU per annum.
According to Mr Alejandro Bärthold, General Manager of TPS, the deal clincher for TPS was the E-One competitive maintenance features, including its service interval of up to 1,000 hours for both the crane and the engine, which is unmatched by all other brands. The decision was also made easier by the fact that TPS is already familiar with Kalmar level of technical expertise and its fast delivery times thanks to its existing reachstacker operations.
Meanwhile, Belgium Terminal Container Athus has ordered a Smartrail-equipped E-One with a 9+1 span that is capable of lifting 1 over 3 containers. The machine is to be operated in the expansion area of the Athus rail terminal. Due for delivery in autumn 2005, the TCA machine will also feature a rotating combi-spreader.
TCA, which also owns Kalmar reachstackers, has been operating a single Kalmar RTG since 1999. Its decision back then to buy Kalmar was swayed by the availability of the GPS-guided Smartrail, which facilitates driving on curved rail yards.
The company new E-One RTG will deliver a whole range of additional benefits, including a low-emission diesel engine and – thanks to the elimination of most hydraulics and the precision of all-electric movements – significant fuel savings. Moreover, because the E-One contains fewer critical mechanical components, there is less opportunity for mechanical failures – a significant boost to operational productivity.
TCA E-One will be capable of spanning four rail tracks, three stacking lanes and a truck lane, allowing for direct chassis-to-railcar and railcar-to-railcar transhipment. This will result in economically viable operations as boxes, in effect, will be handled only once.
A new breed
The E-One is the first all-electric RTG. With the development of the E-One and its existing emission- and noise-free Zero-Emission RTG, Kalmar has been able to meet not only the latest environmental demands but also the requirements for operational productivity and life-time cost efficiency.
E-One is without the need for hydraulics and is suited to any operation around the world. Key features include an all-electric wheel turning and gantry drive, an all-electric trolley, Full Control antisway and stabiliser, a PLC-controlled sway prevention system and all-electric and maintenance-free spreader and micro-movements.
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, the Netherlands, Estonia, Malaysia, China and the USA.
For further information
aija.kalander@kalmarind.com