 The MSC Home Terminal in Antwerp, Belgium. |
Kalmar has received an additional order for six ESC 350 straddle carriers after delivering seven units, including one new-generation hybrid machine, to MSC Home Terminal early this year.
The machines will be delivered later this year, and the value of the order is confidential.
Cargotec claims the Kalmar hybrid straddle carrier operating at MSC Home Terminal in Antwerp, Belgium has been shown to set the industry benchmark for fuel consumption and emissions. The new-generation machines were launched to the market in October 2013.
MSC Home Terminal, Antwerp, Belgium, owned 50/50 by PSA and TIL, is the most important European hub for MSC. The container terminal has a capacity of 5.4 million TEUs annually and is managed by 24 ship-to-shore cranes and 127 straddle carriers. The fleet currently includes 21 Kalmar STS cranes and 56 Kalmar straddle carriers.
Randy Verresen, technical manager at MSC Home Terminal, says: "We opted for the new Kalmar hybrid straddle carrier to gain savings in fuel consumption, to decrease carbon dioxide emissions and to improve usability and driver experience."
During one month of operation, MSC Home Terminal has achieved a 37% decrease in fuel consumption with the new Kalmar hybrid straddle compared to a conventional diesel-electric machine. The results show an average fuel consumption level of 12.3 l/hr. This reduces the carbon dioxide emissions by 97 T per year compared to a traditional machine.
Dr Tero Kokko, vice president, horizontal transportation at Kalmar, explains that the Kalmar hybrid straddle carriers' regenerative energy system converts electrical braking and spreader lowering energy into electric power that is stored by the state-of-the-art battery technology.
"An automated start-stop system chooses the optimal balance between engine and battery power. The new system can deliver a remarkable 40% decrease in fuel consumption compared to existing machines in the market while meeting the most stringent engine emission regulations worldwide. This not only adds up to significant cost savings for the terminal, but also improves the sustainability of operations."
The Kalmar hybrid straddle carrier is equipped with a new active stability control system and ensures smooth and safe driving by continuously monitoring speed, turn radius and the spreader's position, slowing the vehicle automatically when needed. The redesigned cabin features improvements in ergonomics and safety.
Separately, Hiab, also part of Cargotec, has received the first order for its new Moffett E-Series electric truck-mounted forklift, an E4 20.1, 2 T capacity model, from Cargomatic, a logistics company in France.
The new E-Series electric truck-mounted forklift is "super-quiet", with a noise level of less than 60dba, and has been designed for applications such as urban distribution in locations where access is restricted and low noise is paramount. The E-Series uses the latest lithium-ion battery technology to power the electric drive motors, hydraulics, and steering systems, meaning that, when operational, it is totally emissions-free.
"Hiab is the first company in the world to manufacture an electric truck-mounted forklift powered by lithium-ion batteries, and this innovative product will open up new segments and applications for us," says Jean-Alain Charrier, Moffett product manager at Hiab.
"Cargomatic's prime concerns were running costs, noise levels, and environmental impact. With the Moffett E-series, we have been able to effectively address all of these, and significantly reduce them."