The port cargo handling equipment tyre market is fast growing, with major themes including an increased focus on both sustainability and heavy-duty features.
SECTOR ANALYSIS: TYRES: SUSTAINABILITY AND STRESS RESISTANCE DRIVE DEVELOPMENT
US based Transparency Market Research Inc released its Global Port and Handling Equipment Tire Market report in August 2023, which says that tyres in this sector are projected to increase at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2022 to 2032. It notes that the demand for radial and solid tyres remains high. Innovative new features continue to be developed, with the report saying: “Manufacturers are incorporating advanced technologies into their tyre designs to improve performance and efficiency by using innovative rubber compounds, tyre reinforcement materials, and advanced tread patterns to optimise traction, stability, and wear resistance.” The profiles below highlight such new developments that protect against damage and boost efficiency. Elsewhere, sustainability is a rapidly growing theme, both in tyre production, and also in deploying more environmentally friendly materials, including a growing use of recycled materials as tyre manufacturers aim to meet global CO2 emissions targets. This enables port operators to reduce their carbon footprints too.
INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY, DAMAGE RESISTANCE GREATER EFFICIENCY
Bridgestone Americas: Bridgestone Americas has introduced a new tyre for straddle carriers that has been engineered to help terminals extend their equipment’s operational hours. Launched in April 2023, the Bridgestone V-Steel Port Container Straddle (VPCS) radial tire has been designed to deliver enhanced load capacity, speed rating and durability for more efficient operations and extended service life. “Ports face unique challenges and need equipment that remains productive in virtually any kind of condition, 24 hours a day and seven days a week,” says Rob Seibert, President, Off the Road, US and Canada, Bridgestone Americas. “With the VPCS, our team of engineers set out to design a tyre that meets these challenges head-on and keep our world’s supply chain moving forward.” The Bridgestone VPCS radial tire is currently available in two sizes: 450/95R25 and 480/95R25. Compared to previous generation Bridgestone tyres, innovations include: a new tread pattern and more durable casing structure for a 22 per cent longer service life and a new high-strength casing design that delivers a 28 per cent higher load index. Or there is the option for a Cooler Running Tire Design that provides a 40 per cent higher maximum speed, allowing carriers to increase efficiency and move more per hour. Bridgestone has also been working towards its sustainability goals, after announcing in September 2023 its first tyre manufacturing site to be verified as carbon neutral. Its plant at Chakan in Pune, India, was verified according to the international PAS 2060 standard for 2022 by global assurance partner, LRQA. Bridgestone says that this was an important part of its efforts to meet the global target of carbon neutrality (Scope 1 and 2) by 2050 and a 50 per cent reduction of CO2 emissions from its operations by 2030 versus the 2011 benchmark.
Continental Tires: This Germany headquartered company is focusing on digital fleet management tools and boosting efficient and sustainable port operations. It has recently advanced its digital tyre management system ContiConnect with its new Bluetooth-enabled generation of sensors. This enables fleet managers and drivers to access tyre data for the vehicle directly via any smart device, such as a mobile phone. “Having a digital twin of the intelligent tyres in our web portal means that the fleet managers can easily locate the position of each intelligent tyre and check the tyre condition whenever they want,” says Continental. It is equipping all radial port tyres with its new Bluetooth-enabled generation of sensors ex-factory, ready for its ContiConnect digital tire management system. The company says that sustainability is an integral part of its Tyres ‘Vision 2030’ strategy, with the aim that by 2050 at the latest, all of its tyres will be made of sustainable materials. Federico Jiménez, Head of Business Field Port Operation Tires at Continental says: “Our goal is to be the most progressive tyre company in terms of environmental and social responsibility. The efficient use of tyres during operations by the help of digital tyre monitoring solutions like ContiConnect can help to reduce emissions already, today.” For 2024, the company is planning new sizes for its DockMaster+ range, which has been developed for reach stackers, heavy forklifts and empty container handlers.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company: Goodyear has rolled out a new tyre pressure measurement system at DP World Southampton that promises to reduce machine downtime. In August 2023, it was announced that US-headquartered Goodyear had retrofitted the Goodyear DrivePoint Heavy Duty system across DP World Southampton’s port operations, including over 80 straddle carriers. This is a drive-past tyre inspection system that allows automated and dynamic tyre pressure measurement. The drive-past technology removes the need for physical tyre pressure checks, freeing up port staff to focus on other operational priorities. This comes on the back of a 20-year partnership between DP World and Goodyear. Following a test period, the DrivePoint HD solution has been rolled out across the fleet of Goodyear EV-4M tyres. The system uses receivers that read and analyse data from the machine’s dedicated heavy duty tyre pressure sensors as they drive by. Paul Bould, Off-The-Road Sales Manager, Goodyear UK says: “This trial with DP World shows there is an extension of tyre service life, and a reduction in the amount of time spent stopping for tyre pressure checking.”
Nexen Tire: Nexen Tire has unveiled its sustainable-material demonstration tyre composed of 52 per cent sustainable materials. The South Korea based tyre maker’s experts used current- and emerging-technologies to create the demonstration tyre. Materials include natural rubber, bio-based synthetic rubber and silica derived from rice husk waste residue. Another significant feature is that it is made of 8 per cent recycled materials using polyester cord formed from recycled plastic PET bottles and bead wire derived from scrap iron using an electric arc furnace. “This research demonstrates our commitment to becoming one of the most forward-thinking tyre companies in terms of ESG,” states a representative at Nexen Tire.
Nokian Tyres: Nokian Tyres has launched a new tyre for reach stacker front axle use which aims to boost tyre stability and service life. Introduced in January this year, the Nokian Tyres HTS G2 L-5S is a member of the Nokian Tyres HTS G2 series of port and terminal tyres that have been designed for high stability and load-bearing capacity. “In a heavy reach stacker front tyre use, the smooth, extra-deep slow-wearing tread lasts up to 35 per cent longer than our previous comparable tire – depending on your location and application”, says Kimmo Kekki, Product Manager, Nokian Tyres. “Particular attention has been paid to the tire flexing area, which benefits from our special shock-absorbing rubber compound used in the tire carcass.” The company, based in Finland, explains that it uses Bias tyre technology that has now been further developed for its new product. The new model has been designed specifically for front axle use. This enables a thicker tread than the previous L-4S models, resulting in a longer service life. The rubber compound wears slowly and resists puncture damage, preventing unexpected downtime.
Trelleborg Tires: Trelleborg has launched its latest tyre with the aim of maximum resistance for handling high intensity jobs in ports. The CX940 model, released in April 2023, is designed for heavy duty equipment that is constantly on the move, such as reach stackers. It has an extra-wide tread that increases operator comfort and provides better resistance when carrying high intensity loads. Its wear-resistant compound helps protect the tyre from wear and tear. Trelleborg Tires – acquired by Japan’s The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd in May this year - says that the CX940 model reduces heat generation even at high speeds, and its reinforced bead construction has been tested to make hard turns in tight areas, putting less stress on the tyre. Chiara Cianci, Product Marketing Manager Material Handling, Trelleborg says: “Our new CX940 tyre is made for stress and endurance. Its robust casing and optimised tread design mean less downtime and more efficient machines, which adds up to huge savings in highly busy ports.” Trelleborg designs, develops and distributes a range of cargo and port equipment tires for heavy duty applications.
