The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) and Konecranes VLC, the very large cranes arm of the Konecranes Group, have closed a contract for delivery of six Konecranes rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes to the Port of Savannah.

The value of the contract has not been released. Delivery is due in September. KCI Koneports Americas, KCI Konecranes's north American port maintenance services organisation, will provide maintenance and technical support for the cranes.

Konecranes VLC vice president (new cranes) Ilpo Hakala said GPA was "a first-class organisation experiencing fast growth in its terminal operations and we are happy to meet its technology expectations to accommodate further growth".

The 16-wheel RTGs are equipped with KCI Konecranes's sway prevention and fine positioning systems. All features are electromechanical, with no hydraulics involved. The cranes will be manufactured in Europe and erected on-site in Savannah.

Mr Hakala said RTG orders in the last four months reflected the strength of KCI Konecranes's technology and service concept.

KCI Konecranes, headquartered in Hyvinkää, Finland, specialises in overhead lifting solutions and maintenance services. In 2002, group sales totalled EUR714 million (USD764.2 million). The company has more than 4,400 employees in 34 countries.