Thailand main container port, Laem Chabang, is growing steadily with the help of Kalmar rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes. Kalmar is the clear leader in RTG supply to Thailand with more than 20 units in operation. Of Laem Chabang seven terminal operators, four have chosen Kalmar RTGs on the back of positive reports about the machines’ performance.
The most recent orders to Thailand include six units to a new Terminal still under construction, and five units to Evergreen Container Terminal (Thailand) Co Ltd. Delivery of the 6+1 wide, 1-over-6 high machines is scheduled for next year.
The machines for the new terminal feature Kalmar Smartrail autosteering and container position verification system as well as the RMI remote maintenance and monitoring system.
Thailand Eastern Sea Laem Chabang Terminal Co (ESCO), operator of the B3 terminal, recently installed two new E-One Kalmar RTGs as part of its ongoing efforts to boost yard productivity and cater to ever-increasing capacity requirements, calling for the handling of over half a million TEU annually.
The E-One design has proven particularly popular as it combines minimal maintenance with reliability and a long lifespan, as confirmed by Sukthita Pongpeomperk, ESCO Operations Manager:
These two cranes are the first RTGs at Laem Chabang to run entirely on an electric as opposed to a hydraulic system. This allows them to operate more efficiently and economically because without hydraulic components they consume less energy. Another key factor to consider when choosing new equipment is maintenance costs and these RTGs require significantly less maintenance than the cranes we already have in use.
The RTGs’ ability to stack containers up to 6+1 high allows us to optimize our cargo volumes and utilise our yard space more effectively, Ms Pongpeomperk continues. “We are very confident that our yard operations will now flow faster and more efficiently.
According to Ken Loh, President Kalmar Asia, sales in the Asia region have been particularly strong this year, with a number of large orders coming in from India and China.
Recognising Asia as the fastest growing market, we have launched an assembly unit in Shanghai to meet the increasing demands of this region.
ESCO decision to purchase Kalmar E-One has further boosted our global presence in the RTG market as more and more customers look for environmentally-friendly equipment that also offers low operational costs with good after-sales support service. Indeed, we are particularly proud that by using fewer mechanical components, our RTGs are less susceptible to mechanical failures and can operate for up to 1,000 hours before requiring any servicing at all – a service interval that is currently unmatched by other rival brands. In Thailand we have more than 20 RTGs, of which the majority is the new all-electric model.
According to Mr Loh, the demand for Kalmar services also looks set to increase as customers continue to outsource their maintenance activities.
Contracts such as those we have with ESCO means that equipment is being used intensively thus increasing the need for servicing and parts.
Established in 1990 as one of the private sector terminal operators at Thailand busy Laem Chabang deepsea port, ESCO operates the B3 terminal, is a major shareholder in the port B1 terminal and also operates an Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Lad Krabang province, Thailand.
Notes to editor:
The most recent orders to Thailand include six units to a new Terminal still under construction, and five units to Evergreen Container Terminal (Thailand) Co Ltd. Delivery of the 6+1 wide, 1-over-6 high machines is scheduled for next year.
The machines for the new terminal feature Kalmar Smartrail autosteering and container position verification system as well as the RMI remote maintenance and monitoring system.
Thailand Eastern Sea Laem Chabang Terminal Co (ESCO), operator of the B3 terminal, recently installed two new E-One Kalmar RTGs as part of its ongoing efforts to boost yard productivity and cater to ever-increasing capacity requirements, calling for the handling of over half a million TEU annually.
The E-One design has proven particularly popular as it combines minimal maintenance with reliability and a long lifespan, as confirmed by Sukthita Pongpeomperk, ESCO Operations Manager:
These two cranes are the first RTGs at Laem Chabang to run entirely on an electric as opposed to a hydraulic system. This allows them to operate more efficiently and economically because without hydraulic components they consume less energy. Another key factor to consider when choosing new equipment is maintenance costs and these RTGs require significantly less maintenance than the cranes we already have in use.
The RTGs’ ability to stack containers up to 6+1 high allows us to optimize our cargo volumes and utilise our yard space more effectively, Ms Pongpeomperk continues. “We are very confident that our yard operations will now flow faster and more efficiently.
According to Ken Loh, President Kalmar Asia, sales in the Asia region have been particularly strong this year, with a number of large orders coming in from India and China.
Recognising Asia as the fastest growing market, we have launched an assembly unit in Shanghai to meet the increasing demands of this region.
ESCO decision to purchase Kalmar E-One has further boosted our global presence in the RTG market as more and more customers look for environmentally-friendly equipment that also offers low operational costs with good after-sales support service. Indeed, we are particularly proud that by using fewer mechanical components, our RTGs are less susceptible to mechanical failures and can operate for up to 1,000 hours before requiring any servicing at all – a service interval that is currently unmatched by other rival brands. In Thailand we have more than 20 RTGs, of which the majority is the new all-electric model.
According to Mr Loh, the demand for Kalmar services also looks set to increase as customers continue to outsource their maintenance activities.
Contracts such as those we have with ESCO means that equipment is being used intensively thus increasing the need for servicing and parts.
Established in 1990 as one of the private sector terminal operators at Thailand busy Laem Chabang deepsea port, ESCO operates the B3 terminal, is a major shareholder in the port B1 terminal and also operates an Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Lad Krabang province, Thailand.
Notes to editor:
Press information can be found on Kalmar 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 caption for the photographs reads:
Kalmar RTGs operating at Thailand Eastern Sea Laem Chabang Terminal Co (ESCO).
Kalmar is a global provider of container and heavy duty materials handling equipment, automation applications and related services. It is the world's leading supplier of cargo handling equipment to ports, terminals and intermodal facilities.
Every fourth container or trailer transfer at terminals around the world is handled by a Kalmar machine. The company also supplies a wide range of machines to demanding industrial customers for applications as diverse as handling steel and paper to shunting road trailers at distribution hubs.
Kalmar is also leading the way in port automation applications with its application of unmanned container handling technology, on-board smart features and remote maintenance products developed in co-operation with customers and partners.
Kalmar's product range is complemented by 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 1,147 million in 2005.
Kalmar is part of Cargotec Corporation, the world leading provider of cargo handling solutions, which are used in local transportation, terminals, ports, distribution centres, and ships. In 2005 Cargotec net sales exceeded EUR 2.3 billion. Cargotec class B shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
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