Hesse-Noord Natie has ordered nine Kalmar Edrive ESC straddle carriers for its River Schelde terminals.

The order, placed through Kalmar's Belgian dealer, Bia NV, is for five ESCs with normal spreaders and four with extendable twin-lift spreaders with a 50-tonne lift capacity.

The order is a vote of confidence for the new twin-lift spreader and the ESC straddle carrier, which combines an electrical drive system with the robust construction of Kalmar's CSC straddle carrier.

Hesse-Noord Natie first bought two ESCs for testing last year. The company already operates almost 50 Kalmar straddle carriers. Neither the estimated delivery time nor the contract value was released.