The 12 Kalmar ESC440 straddle carriers were shipped from Kalmar’s facility in Poland aboard the specialist vessel the MV Aura which delivered five to the Port of Grangemouth and then sailed down the east coast to the London Container Terminal (LCT) in Tilbury with the remaining seven machines.
The model is fitted with the latest low emission engine technology which is capable of accommodating a transition to alternative non-fossil fuels, providing the opportunity to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The ESC440 has a 40-tonne load carrying capacity capable of handling the full range of container sizes. The carriers will be fitted with Verified Gross Mass (VGM) weighing capability to weigh the containers. For the straddle carrier driver, the cab is fully air-conditioned and on colder days, it has the latest air suspension heated seat.
The 12 new straddles are part of the Group’s equipment replacement programme. The current fleet at LCT is 36 and 16 in Grangemouth.
Stuart Wallace, Chief Operating Officer said: “Our container terminals in Tilbury and Grangemouth are key shipping and distribution locations and it’s essential that we keep investing in our equipment and infrastructure to ensure that we continue to deliver industry leading service provision.
“We are always impressed with Kalmar’s straddle carriers and these are our straddle of choice. These new straddles form part of our multimillion-pound investment in our two busy container ports in Grangemouth and in Tilbury.
“We strive to ensure that our customers benefit from our investment and see improved turnaround of vessels, efficient landside service as well on-site access to warehousing and key road and rail links. Upgrading our machinery and plant to low carbon alternatives is at the core of the Forth Green Freeport decarbonisation plan. It is also a central focus for our operations in Tilbury and across the Thames Freeport.”
Forth Ports Ltd owns and operates eight commercial ports in the UK – Tilbury on the Thames, Dundee on the Firth of Tay and six on the Firth of Forth – Leith, Grangemouth, Rosyth, Methil, Burntisland and Kirkcaldy.
Within and around the Firths of Forth and Tay, Forth Ports manages and operates an area of 280 square miles of navigable waters, including two specialised marine terminals for oil and gas export and provides other marine services, such as towage and conservancy.