Blueprint for Africa

Another five will be delivered in November enabling the terminal to convert from the use of reach stackers to a more efficient and safer RTG system.

Dallas Hampton, managing director, APM Terminals Apapa, said: “This is a very exciting development for the terminal and the Nigerian port industry, as we will be setting a new standard in safety and sustainable terminal operations in Africa.”

The ten advanced eco-RTGs are being manufactured by Konecranes in China and are equipped with a laser stacking profiling system which reduces the risk of loaded containers being knocked off of stacks. APMT says that these RTGs will be among the first in the world to offer this type of technology.

Although the eco-RTGs will be powered by diesel engines, they have an advanced system which reduces fuel consumption by 40% compared with conventional diesel RTGs.

The operator says that the RTGs burn 30% less fuel than reach stackers. They’ll replace 22 reach stackers currently in service – so both the savings in both fuel and emissions should be considerable, creating a blueprint for the rest of Africa, according to Mr Hampton.

The conversion of the yard to RTGs will increase the terminal’s annual container throughput capacity to 1.2m teu and be sufficient to handle anticipated Nigerian container trade growth until the proposed APM Terminals facility at Badagry becomes operational.