Cargo handling giant Kalmar has won two significant orders, one to supply straddle carriers to the Port of Tauranga in New Zealand, and a second, breakthrough, order for automatic guided vehicles (AGV) for PSA Singapore.
The eight diesel-electric straddle carriers enhance the Port of Tauranga’s current fleet of 28 Kalmar straddle carriers and are part of a USD250m investment plan to prepare for the expected increase in ever-larger container vessels. Located on New Zealand's North Island, the Port of Tauranga is the country's largest container terminal and premier freight gateway, with a current annual volume of 930,000teu.
Dan Kneebone, property & infrastructure manager at Port of Tauranga, said: "Kalmar diesel-electric straddle carriers play a vital role in helping to maximise productivity and efficiency while reducing running costs and environmental impact of our operations.”
“These new units will help us to remain competitive by ensuring that we are well prepared to handle significantly larger volumes of cargo per shipment," he added.
The Singapore order comprises 18 all-electric AGVs and is part of PSA’s strategic investment in automation technologies to maintain its status as the world's leading transshipment hub.
Kalmar is a long term supplier of different port equipment and services to PSA Singapore. These include Kalmar terminal tractors, reachstackers and empty container handlers for which Kalmar also provides service and maintenance.
The new all-electric AGV for PSA complements Kalmar's horizontal transportation product offering. Kalmar has introduced several industry-firsts such as the automated straddle carrier in 2005, hybrid shuttle carrier in 2013 and most recently the all-electric Kalmar FastCharge(TM) solution in 2015.
Delivery to New Zealand is expected this year, whilst the Singapore equipment is scheduled for 2017.
