South African port and warehouse operator Access World and French terminal operator BTM have ordered Kalmar reachstackers.

Access World will add four Kalmar Eco reachstackers and two Kalmar Essential empty container handlers to its Durban container terminal while BTM will add two Kalmar electric reachstackers to its Terminal Ouest Provence (TOP), which is still under construction.

Access World regional manager Peter Hendriks says: “As we seek to address growing cargo-handling volumes, we are conscious of the fact that we must focus on reducing our carbon footprint at the same time. Kalmar’s innovative, eco-efficient equipment solutions will help us to tackle this challenge and ensure the best possible start for our new Durban terminal.”

The new equipment is scheduled for delivery to Access World’s Durban terminal in the fourth quarter of this year.

BTM’s new reachstackers, with lifting capacities of up to 45 T, are scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2024, ahead of the completion of the TOP facility in the second quarter of next year.

TOP is being developed to the north of Marseille by the Open Modal Group, the parent company of BTM. The intermodal terminal will be operated by BTM.

BTM general manager Christophe Lefel says: “Kalmar’s electric reachstacker is a proven, reliable solution that eliminates at-source emissions, supporting our decarbonisation objectives.”

BTM’s reachstacker fleet already includes six diesel-powered Kalmar reachstackers.