Kalmar for innovative handling solution
New operating system to incorporate E-One RTGs and Shuttle Carriers
Estonia main dedicated container handling facility, Muuga Container Terminal (Muuga CT) in the port of Tallinn, has placed an order with Kalmar Industries for two all-electric E-One rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes and two Shuttle Carriers - the so-called one-over-one design that is perfect for fast transportation. The order further cements the global popularity of the E-One, introduced to the market at the beginning of this year.
Once in operation in April 2006, the shuttle carriers and 6+1 wide, 4-high E-Ones will form the backbone of the handling system at Muuga CT new container terminal expansion, to be built on a five-hectare expansion site during winter 2005/2006.
Kalmar all-electric E-One RTG will meet Muuga CT requirements for increased productivity. Without the need for hydraulics, E-One features a low-emission diesel engine and is fitted with electric trolley, wheel turning and spreader. Fewer critical mechanical components mean less opportunity for mechanical failures while service intervals for both the crane and the engine are up to 1,000 hours. The machine also offers fuel savings of up to 30%.
The key to the success of the Shuttle Carrier is its ability to operate independently, leading to a more efficient work cycle. Its light weight also decreases energy consumption, resulting in lower operating costs.
The order also includes one ContChamp DRF reachstacker, which will complement the Kalmar fleet of reachstackers and terminal tractors already in operation. The existing terminal will continue working with reachstackers.
Lack of space and the need for high productivity were the main reasons behind the decision to combine RTGs and shuttle carriers.
Sergei Artjomov, Chairman of the Board, Muuga CT, says:
“We are convinced that, as our volumes grow, we can further develop this new operating concept to ensure high levels of productivity for the future. RTGs enable dense stacking but can also be moved from one stack to another according to work load demands. Shuttle carriers, meanwhile, guarantee fast and flexible transportation between the stacks and the truck interchange area as they can independently handle containers.
An added benefit of a shuttle carrier system is that it also gives the terminal operator the ability to minimise the amount of traffic in the container yard. Explains Mr Artjomov:
“We have always tried to eliminate unnecessary traffic in the terminal to improve the safety of the truck drivers and the security of the containers.
“By using shuttle carriers under the RTGs we will be able to eliminate trucks in the stacking area. This reduced traffic will create a less stressful environment for our reachstacker, portal truck and shuttle carrier drivers. Moreover, replacing trucks with shuttle carriers under the RTGs will make for greater productivity because shuttle carriers are more flexible in that they can lift one container over another. Trucks, on the other hand, require more manouevring space and therefore impact on terminal productivity.
Because of the shape of the Muuga CT facility, the driving distance from the quay to the stacks can be up to one kilometre. As such, terminal tractors with multitrailers will continue to handle transportation between the quay and stacks.
“If our plans to develop the terminal further proceed as planned, the facility will expand on reclaimed land in front of the quay. This will shorten the distance between the quay and the stacks and will enable us to introduce shuttle carriers there as well, explains Mr Artjomov.
“The majority of the equipment in our terminal is from Kalmar and we are impressed by the service level and quality the company delivers.
Container throughput of Muuga CT this year will be around 125,000TEUs, with both the Estonian economy (Estonia joined the European Union in 2004) and transit cargo to and from Russia and Asia guaranteeing annual growth of about 10%.
Regional pioneer
Muuga CT will be the first container terminal operator in the Baltic region to introduce a handling system that combines RTGs and shuttle carriers. Kalmar terminal development service was involved in the planning process with layouts, equipment recommendations and overall costs analysis.
Muuga CT was also the first terminal operator in the region to introduce the reachstacker concept in 1993 and a harbour mobile crane in 1999.
Note to editors
Press information can be found on Kalmar's website: www.kalmarind.com. Simply click on News Room to be taken to a list of recent press releases or on Press Pictures to be taken to the Kalmar photo gallery.
The captions for the photographs read:
“Muuga Container Terminal will incorporate the speed and flexibility of Kalmar's Shuttle Carrier in its new container terminal expansion to be built this winter.
“Muuga CT will become the latest in a long line of terminal operators to order the E-One, including Global Terminals, which ordered these units for operation at the Port of New York / New Jersey.
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. Production plants are situated in Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Malaysia, China and the USA. Kalmar net sales were EUR 865.4 million in 2004.
Kalmar is part of Cargotec Corporation, which is the world leading provider of cargo handling solutions for ships, ports, terminals and local distribution. Cargotec net sales were EUR 1.9 billion in 2004. Cargotec shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.