Forklift News - NEW CONCEPT IN CONTAINER HANDLING LAUNCHED

LJUNGBY, Sweden -- Kalmar Industries has unveiled the shuttle carrier, designed for ports preparing to meet the challenge of container vessels carrying up to 12,000 containers.

The shuttle carrier operates between ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and the container stack, and "will enable stevedores to increase substantially the speed and efficiency of ship-handling operations", according to the company.

Kalmar Industries provides materials handling equipment to ports, terminals and industrial customers. Kalmar says every fourth container or trailer transfer in the world is handled by a Kalmar machine.

The company says the new handler will eliminate the problem of terminal tractors being unable to handle grounded containers. The shuttle carrier offers the benefits of a straddle carrier, "but at a lower cost".

The shuttle carrier is a smaller version of Kalmar's straddle carrier. Since it stacks only two-high, its construction is lighter and its running speed higher. A lower centre of gravity enables it to achieve higher cornering speeds safely.

Kalmar marketing vice president Ilkka Annala said by eliminating the need to synchronise STS and transfer vehicle operations, stevedores would find it easier to achieve the handling rates their customers expected.

"Crane drivers can concentrate on working a ship as quickly as possible. They will not be slowed by having to wait for transfer vehicles and the need to position containers precisely onto the chassis," Mr Annala said.

"There should be little or no waiting time on the quay or at the stack."

The shuttle carrier was designed in conjunction with Antwerp stevedore Hessenatie NV. Hessenatie will use shuttle carriers with rail-mounted gantry cranes.

"We have already presented this concept to several leading terminal operators. Around the world, there is a significant number of new facilities being discussed, so the timing is perfect for this idea," Mr Annala said.

"We are especially excited about the possibilities of integrating Kalmar shuttle carriers and rubber-tyred gantries. Such a system would show considerable productivity gains over existing operations."

Meanwhile, Kalmar has moved to strengthen its German market position with the acquisition of Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Eger GmbH, a company which has been the German sales and service company for Sisu Terminal Systems since 1976.

Kalmar Industries has distributed Sisu-branded container handling equipment in Germany since merging with Sisu Terminal Systems in 1997. Kalmar's German subsidiary, Kalmar Flurforderzeuge Vertriebs GmbH, has been responsible for sales and service of other Kalmar products.

Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Eger GmbH, which has an annual turnover of around US$10 million, will now merge with Kalmar Flurfþ" rderzeuge Vertriebs.

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