APM Terminals Gothenburg buys 12 new straddle carriers
The container terminal at the Port of Gothenburg, APM Terminals, has purchased 12 new straddle carriers. APM Terminals is the first in Sweden to operate using the 16 metre high carriers. Apart from increasing storage capacity, the new carriers will also contribute to a better working environment and reduced carbon emissions, the company said in its press release.
Each week, between 8,000 and 10,000 quayside container movements are carried out at the APM Terminals container terminal at the Port of Gothenburg. The containers are moved within the terminal using what are known as straddle carriers. APM Terminals has now purchased a further 12 straddle carriers.
The new carriers are the 4-high model and can transport a container with sufficient clearance to pass over three stacked containers. APM Terminals is the first in Sweden to operate with carriers of this kind.
The new carriers are a remarkable addition to the terminal. Compared with the older carriers, they can stack three containers on top of each other instead of two, boosting storage capacity at the terminal by up to 40 per cent. They can also lift two 20-foot containers at the same time – double the capacity of the old straddle carriers, which are now being phased out.
There are also significant environmental benefits. The new carriers are diesel-electric, which means that a diesel engine provides the electric motors with power to move around and lift. Fuel consumption is considerably lower compared with the older carriers and the modern engines are automated to ensure they always operate at optimal speed.
Martin Koch, Technical Manager at APM Terminals, said: "Carbon emissions will be reduced by more than 30 per cent compared with the older carriers and particle emissions and exhaust fumes will be reduced by more than 90 per cent."
Driver safety has also been improved as the new carriers offer better visibility, are easier to manoeuvre and have an extremely high cab safety specification.
The arrival of the new straddle carriers means that the terminal now has 38 carriers in operation.
