Noell RTGs on their way to Bharat Mumbai Container

Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals (BMCT), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PSA International Pte Ltd (PSA), has exercised its option to purchase a further 18 Konecranes Noell rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes.

This order follows an initial order for 18 RTG and four RMG cranes that will be delivered by the end of this year. The 18 RTGs currently on order will be delivered in two lots: nine units will be delivered by August 2018, and the remaining nine by the end of 2018. By then, BMCT will operate a total of 36 Konecranes Noell RTG cranes and four Konecranes Noell RMG cranes.

Shyam Pathak, sales director India, Konecranes, Port Solutions, says: "BMCT's expansion plans are on track and I'm pleased that this dynamic container terminal, backed by the leading global port operator PSA, has again selected our crane technology."

The RMG cranes will be used in BMCT's railyard, which can handle double-stack container trains up to 1.5 km long. They will be powered from the terminal's mains and will not generate any local exhaust emissions.

Suresh Amirapu, CEO of BMCT, adds that: "These RMG cranes are equipped with a rotating trolley that gives the crane operator an excellent view of the containers, rail wagons and the entire working area. They also have double-sided cantilevers that cover two truck lanes on either side of the crane rails. These will allow us to flexibly manage the rail operations and speed up the rail container handling."

The RMG cranes have a 37.6 m span covering six rail tracks, offering a maximum lifting capacity of 65 T, stacking containers 1-over-3, and with a lifting height of 12.5 m.

The RTGs, with a lifting capacity of 40 T, will be used in BMCT's container yard, where they will stack containers 1-over-5, covering six container rows plus track lane. The RTGs will be equipped with diesel generators, powering variable speed engines that can reduce fuel consumption by up to one-third depending upon operating conditions.