Forklift News - ASIAN TERMINALS BUYS MITSUI EQUIPMENT

MANILA, The Philippines -- Asian Terminals Inc (ATI), the exclusive cargo handling operator of Manila's premier port South Harbour, has acquired new cargo handling equipment as part of a USD6.3 million expansion program.

ATI has taken delivery of a new ship-to-shore quay crane and two rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes from Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co of Japan. Mitsui owns 7.56 per cent of ATI. The quay crane has a capacity of 40.8 tonnes under spreader and 55 tonnes for heavy lift with a 42-metre outreach, 12-metre backreach and 31 metres under spreader.

Each RTG has a container stacking capacity of six plus one wide (23.74-metre span) and one over five high (18 metres under spreader). South Harbour has 17 RTGs.

ATI's cargo handling business is driven by growth in Philippines trade. Richard Barclay, president and chief executive officer, said the South Harbour expansion program has been accelerated to meet demand.

ATI is also stepping up construction of additional storage areas in anticipation of an increase in container volumes. An additional stack area to service more than 30,000 TEUs has already been completed.

With the extension of ATI's cargo-handling contract with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) until 2013, ATI has pledged to invest at least USD300 million for further expansion of the South Harbour facilities, including the purchase of more cargo-handling equipment.

ATI also has established a logistics business, building a 4.4ha inland clearance depot at Calamba, 50km north of Manila.

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