MSC has ordered four empty container handlers.

In three orders from December 2018 to February 2019, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has requested a total of four reachstackers and four empty container handlers, all Smart Connected Lift Trucks, to be delivered in May. The trucks will be distributed across MSC South Africa centres in Durban on the east coast, in Cape Town on the west coast, and at a new operation in the central Gauteng region.

As business continues to expand on the continent, South Africa must boost the activities of its transport hubs to move an ever-increasing volume of goods quickly and easily. A lively, constantly changing economy means MSC has to ensure its facilities function efficiently at all times, according to a company statement.

MSC South Africa regularly updates its equipment in an annual fleet replacement for existing operations. As part of this process, it ordered two SMV 5/6 ECC 90 empty container handlers (ECHs) for Durban, and two SMV 6/7 ECHs for Cape Town. All four can lift 9 T at different heights. With a lot of activity in their facilities, MSC South Africa must be able to position empty containers quickly for stuffing and shipping.

However, MSC's current growth has prompted it to move beyond its replacement program. So, for the province of Gauteng, it also ordered four SMV 4531 TC5 reachstackers, each with a lifting capacity of 45 T, for a new project to handle growing demand in the region.

"In order to stay strong in the market, we need to provide a competitive service with maximum efficiency," says Ashley Bechoo, MSC fleet manager for South Africa. "We want equipment that not only performs well, but helps us manage and maintain our fleet, and especially monitor and control CO2 emissions and fuel costs."

"MSC South Africa is a brand-new customer for us," says Winfried Lux, regional manager IMEA for Konecranes Lift Trucks. "We are looking forward to working closely with the MSC team to maximise their operational efficiency with our high-performing lifting equipment."

The equipment was ordered through Eqstra Material Handling (EMH).