New Zealand's biggest reach stacker

Ports of Auckland has taken delivery of the biggest reach stacker in New Zealand, supplied by Hyster agent Gough's Forklifts.

The new reach stacker, which went into service at Axis Rail this week, is part of the port's ongoing investment in capacity and capability. The machine has a slightly higher lifting capacity than the existing reach stacker at 46 tonnes and, more importantly, a wheel base design that allows for heavier lifts for second-row loads - a real benefit when working across Ports of Auckland's four parallel rail lines.

Despite its size, the design also aids productivity and safety with optimal manoeuvrability and great visibility from the new ergonomic operator cabin.

Also this week, 10 new straddles became fully operational at the port, having been assembled on site for the past two months. Supplied by Noell in Wurzburg, Germany, the straddle carriers cost an estimated NZ$15.8 million.

Being dual diesel-electric, the new straddles are more eco-friendly and emit 90% less exhaust, use 20% less fuel and make less noise than the older diesel-only models. They can also be used as back-up generators in the event of a power failure, providing power for up to 10 refrigerated containers.

With this latest addition, the port now has a fleet of 44 straddle carriers, with 35 being diesel-electric machines.

Approximately 770,000 TEUs are handled by the port each year.

The fleet upgrade, including more than 30 new straddle carriers since late 2006, will convert the port's straddle fleet to heavy-lift capability (45-tonne single lift and 60-tonne twin lift), making them more compatible with the 60- to 65-tonne twin-lift capable cranes.

In December 2006, Ports of Auckland took delivery of three new Noell container gantry cranes for the Axis Fergusson container terminal. The Port now offers New Zealand's best crane intensity, with eight cranes across two container terminals.