Konecranes will deliver eight RTGs to SETV in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, next year.

Konecranes will supply eight rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) container-handling cranes to Bolloré Africa Logistics, a branch of the French Bolloré Group.

The RTGs will be delivered to the customer's terminal, Société d'Exploitation du Terminal de Vridi (SETV), in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, starting in March 2010.

The RTGs are fully electric and hydraulic-free. They are equipped with Konecranes' autosteering system with container positioning and an interface to the terminal operating system. With a lifting capacity of 40 tons and stacking one-over-five high and seven wide plus a truck lane, the machines have a crane management system to ensure safe operation.

According to Konecranes, Bolloré Africa Logistics is Africa's first integrated logistics network and a leader in the stevedoring business. In 2008, Konecranes supplied eight identical RTGs to the same terminal.

Lionel Labarre, Bolloré Africa Logistics area manager, says Bolloré Africa has launched an investment program to offer Abidjan container terminal customers the best productivity.

"This program will increase the storage capacity at the terminal with 22,000 TEUs and will allow SETV to handle nearly 800,000 TEUs a year," he explains.

The value of the order is confidential.