Kalmar straddle carriers at the Port Authority of Jamaica's Kingston terminal.

Kalmar has established a new subsidiary company in Durban, South Africa, Kalmar Industries South Africa Pty Ltd.

The company is headed by Edwin Briggeman, who will oversee delivery of straddle carriers ordered by Kalmar customer South African Port Operations (SAPO).

Kalmar container handling president Juhani Lukumaa said the new company would allow Kalmar to give the best available technology, service and support to SAPO.

African National Engineering, which services Kalmar straddle carriers and RTG cranes in major African ports, will work with the new company. Kalmar reach stackers and forklifts would continue to be sold through existing Kalmar dealer, Saficon, a Kalmar statement said.

The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) has ordered 24 four-high seventh generation Kalmar CSC 450 straddle carriers and six seven-high Kalmar empty container handlers for its Kingston Container Terminal facility.

New business secured in October 2005 is expected to boost the PAJ's container throughput by 500,000 TEUs a year.