Cargotec's Kalmar has secured a large order for port equipment from Venezuela's government-owned port operator Bolivariana de Puertos SA.

The order is one of Kalmar's largest single port equipment contracts to be delivered to Bolipuertos and reflects the operator's rapid expansion in container and industrial handling applications at its Puerto Cabello and La Guaira ports. The parties have agreed not to disclose the order's value.

The portfolio of equipment, slated for delivery from May 2013, includes 30 Kalmar reach stackers, four empty container handlers, eight heavy forklifts, nine light forklifts, seven heavy terminal tractors, 41 medium terminal tractors, and one zero-emission rubber-tyred gantry crane.

Ingo Erhardt, head of South America at Kalmar, says: "We are delighted Bolipuertos has again selected Kalmar as [its] preferred partner with such a large equipment order ... It also reflects the trusted relationship we have developed over the years through providing innovative technological solutions and excellent service. Last year, for example, we created a dedicated service team, based in Brazil, which can quickly respond to Bolipuertos' machine service needs across their various port and terminal locations."

The Venezuelan Government is investing in its two main non-petroleum export ports, Puerto Cabello and La Guaira, to respond to the increasing efficiency and capacity demands for cargo handling. Once Puerto Cabello's expansion project is finished, the port will have an annual capacity of 700,000 containers and La Guardia, the country's second largest container port, will handle 600,000 TEUs. Kalmar's container handling equipment will be delivered at both ports.