VICT REPEATS ASC ORDER

These six new units are part of VICT’s current expansion programme, as addressed in the October 2021 edition of Port Strategy, and will supplement the existing fleet of 20 Kalmar ASC units in use. Kalmar will also be responsible for the maintenance and support of the automated container handling software in use at VICT, along with related technical requirements, following the signing of a three-year Kalmar Parts Care agreement in 2020.

Kalmar’s One Automation System, a complete end-to-end operation that successfully combines Kalmar automated equipment and a pre-integrated and tested software solution, will continue to support VICT.

Jon Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer, VICT, explains the advantages that the machines will bring to the terminal operation: “The yard capacity expansion and the new Automatic Stacking Cranes will allow us to increase the productivity of our operations to meet the growing customer demand on both quay and landside. The additional storage blocks will also add resiliency, allowing for improved planned maintenance, minimising disruption to our stakeholders,” he notes.

During 2021, VICT has already ordered six Kalmar AutoShuttles and these are planned for delivery before the start of 2022. This takes the total fleet to 17 units.

Established in 2017, VICT is Australia’s first fully automated container terminal with an operating capacity of over 1 million TEU and an extent of 350,000m², located in the Port of Melbourne. Its current yard operating system provides efficient truck turn times of under 35 minutes per delivery.

The company is part of the global portfolio operated by Philippines-headquartered International Container Terminal Services, Inc (ICTSI).