Cargotec delivers 20 Kalmar terminal tractors to STAM.

Cargotec has delivered 20 Kalmar terminal tractors to Société Tunisienne d'Acconage et de Manutention (STAM) for the Port of Rades in Tunisia.

Kamal Khelil, the director in charge of development at STAM, says Kalmar "has always been one step ahead of environmental issues" set by Tunisian authorities.

"We have trusted Kalmar machines for over 25 years. We [currently] have 22 Kalmar straddle carriers, reach stackers, empty container handlers and 50 Kalmar terminal tractors," Khelil says.

"Respecting the environment is very important for us," he adds.

The Kalmar TRX182 terminal tractors will service the quayside operation at the port. The machines have diesel engines with catalytic exhaust purification that Cargotec says significantly reduces emission levels. They are also equipped with electronically controlled diesel engines that meet the requirements of EU Tier 2 and US Carb 2 regulations.

STAM also placed an order for its 13 Kalmar straddle carriers, which are from four to 10 years old, to be refurbished. Under Cargotec's refurbishment program, each of the machines will be individually assessed, repairs identified, and done according to need.

The refurbishment is expected to add five years' operating time to the equipment.

Khelil says STAM's annual capacity was 400,000 TEUs and it had planned for an 8% growth a year.

"This year we will not reach 8% growth but we are still growing in the Port of Rades. The seven Tunisian ports where we operate serve mostly national consumption - some cargo is transported by road to Libya and Algeria," he says.

Established in 1961, STAM employs 1,500 people in the Tunisian commercial ports of Rades, La Goulette, Bizerte, Sousse, Sfax, Gabes and Zarzis. It handles 69% of the cargo transported via ports and maritime trade in Tunisia.