ICTSI opted for 13 reachstackers, four empty container handlers and 18 terminal tractors for its container handling facility at Ecuador's Port of Guayaquil.

Kalmar Industries has received orders for 13 DRF450 reach stackers, four DCE90 empty container handlers and 18 Ottawa 4x2 terminal tractors from global terminal operator International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI).

All machines except for three reach stackers have been delivered to Contecon Guayaquil SA (CGSA), the container and multi-purpose terminal operator at Ecuador's Port of Guayaquil.

Gaston Chirpy, Kalmar's Latin American area sales director, says ICTSI and Kalmar have had a long-term partnership.

"Because ICTSI is so familiar with the quality of Kalmar's equipment and the standard of our after-sales service, opting to equip its new Ecuador facility with Kalmar products was the natural choice.

"We work with and have delivered equipment to ICTSI at a number of its facilities around the world including Baltic Container Terminal in Gydnia, Poland and its flagship facility, Manila International Container Terminal in the Philippines."

CGSA director of engineering Gustavo Cercos says it was important that Kalmar guaranteed a quick delivery time for the machines. The remaining three reach stackers will be delivered by early 2008.

The order value was not disclosed.

ICTSI was awarded a 20-year operating concession for the container and multi-purpose terminals in Guayaquil by Autoridad Portuario de Guayaquil in March 2007.

According to Kalmar, the Guayaquil facility handles about 65% of Ecuador's containerised, general and bulk cargo.

Reach stackers have traditionally been the highest-selling products in Latin America but there is an increasing demand for rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), Kalmar says.

Twelve Kalmar E-One RTGs will be delivered to Santos Brazil SA between September 2007 and January 2008. Other E-One RTG customers include the Port of Trinidad and Tobago, Neptunia SA in Peru, Terminal Pacifico Sur Valparaiso SA in Chile and Buenos Aires Container Terminal in Argentina.