Port Reunion

Port de l'Ile de la Reunion is using the port planning and container handling expertise of Kalmar Industries for an extension project at the Port Est terminal.

Port Est will begin operating 12 four-high CSC450 straddle carriers with twin-lift spreaders and two TRX182 terminal tractors, each with a three-unit multi-trailer system.

It has also used Kalmar's terminal development services, such as estimation of the required fleet size, identification of optimal layouts and assistance in the conversion of straddle carrier operations, to aid its planning process.

Kalmar's input into the Port Est project is expected to result in "dramatic productivity increases" in Port Reunion's container handling operations, according to a Kalmar statement.

By switching from reachstackers to a straddle carrier system, the port expects to realise a 50 per cent increase in its container storage capacity, which currently stands at 10,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs).

The Port Est extension is scheduled for completion at the end of 2006 and will include construction of a new 650 metre-long berth, widening the approach channel from 140 metres to 160 metres and dredging to increase the draft from 12 metres to 16 metres, allowing it to handle the latest generation container vessels.