Port Otago

Equipment specialist Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has received an order to deliver two 50 T capacity ESC 450W diesel electric straddle carriers to container handling operator Port Otago. The straddle carriers will be delivered by the end of 2013.

The port has also purchased a process automation system, Kalmar SmartFleet, that helps maintenance operations more effectively support terminal equipment.

Kalmar's Australian team will provide maintenance support for the equipment and existing Port Otago fleet, with spare parts supplied from its regional parts warehouse in Melbourne.

GM Infrastructure for Port Otago Lincoln Coe says the new machines will be the port's first diesel electric straddles. "The straddle's 1-over-3 capability, together with SmartFleet, will position Port Otago to reduce operational costs whilst increasing the density and throughput of our container terminal in the medium to longer term."

Kalmar is the industry forerunner in terminal automation and in energy-efficient container handling, with one in four container movements around the globe being handled by a Kalmar solution.