As listed in the accompanying table, the orders include 15 RTG cranes to the Bolloré Group for three terminals, two of which are new Konecranes RTG customers: Togo Terminal in Lomé, and Benin Terminal in Cotonou. Bolloré has specified a number of advanced features for all the machines including autosteering, variable-speed diesel generators and a container position system connected to the TOS for real-time inventory updates. They will also be equipped with TRUCONNECT, Konecranes remote monitoring system.

In the US, Konecranes has won an order worth US$4.85M for two 16-wheel E-RTGs for the intermodal yard at Napoleon Avenue Terminal in New Orleans. Konecranes was the only bidder for this project, which the port attributed to the number of large projects  on the market and the tight timeframe to submit a bid.

The cranes will be electrically powered via a 4,160V power supply through a cable reel connection, though they will also have a small diesel genset. They will serve four rail tracks plus a truck lane, with a total working pad length of 1,550ft (470m). Each RTG will be fed from the centre, with enough trailing cable to serve the entire working pad. The cable is also  required to have fibre optic cores for data. Crane Department manager Bryan Burger said a cable reel was preferred because of the port’s previous experience with the technology.

The specification includes a SICK crane anti-collision system, storm tie-downs, CCTV from Orlaco, Oleo bumpers and buffers, and other items like two spare parts containers and a tools  container, plus accommodation for the port staff at the fabrication site.

The APMT orders include Konecranes’ first to the terminal operator for its facility at Algeciras, Spain. Konecranes said these are “high performance machines”, equipped with its Active Load Control System to prevent sway, DGPS autosteering and a Stack Collision Prevention system, which prevents the crane driver knocking a container off the stack with the load or the empty spreader during trolley travel. It is understood APMT is one of the terminal operators that now specifies this as standard on new equipment.

The Lagos contract is a repeat order that will bring the total number of Konecranes RTGs operated at Apapa to 14.

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This complete item is approximately 300 words in length, and appeared in the January 2015 issue of WorldCargo News, on page 4. To access this issue download the PDF here.