The Maasvlakte II expansion project will include new cranesAPM Terminals has ordered 62 automated stacking cranes from ABB and Kuenz for its Maasvlakte II expansion.
Spanning 62 yard cranes, the contract represents the single largest order of automatic stacking cranes ever made by a European terminal.
The order follows a successful implementation of ABB and Kuenz solutions in the first phase of the project.
The companies will deliver the ASC cranes along with an Intermodal Yard Crane equipped with the latest electrical and automation technology enabling the terminal to double container capacity at APMT MVII.
The financial details of the order were not disclosed.
APMT MVII is building on the achievements of the existing facility which deploys the highest level of yard crane automation, with fully automated stacks, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) transfer zone as well as fully automatic handling of external trucks.
"This is an important step in the expansion for APMT MVII,” says Hans Jongejan, project director MVII-Expansion.
“The combination (of) the reliable automatic handling provided by ABB and Kuenz's aerodynamic cranes makes this a sustainable choice. This allows us to not only become the most modern gateway to Europe but also the most efficient and sustainable. We look forward to another successful cooperation."
The high level of automation with the separation of personnel and handling operations delivers safety as well as efficiency gains. Experience from the current facility also demonstrated how automation enables smoother and more ‘machine-friendly’ operations with less risk of damage to equipment, demonstrated in record-low maintenance hours for the terminal.
The scope of delivery from ABB includes control and information systems, automation sensors and software, and remote control capability to optimise the crane efficiency for remote crane management. Continuous development and solid revision management make it possible for APMT MVII to run both the existing facility and the expansion as a unified efficient facility at a high automation and performance level.