Transnet equips for Cape Town's expansion with 32 new Kalmar E-One+ RTGs

Kalmar Industries, part of Cargotec Corporation, has been awarded an order from Transnet Limited, the parent company of terminal operator Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), for the supply of 32 E-One+ rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes. This latest agreement follows on from a series of recent orders received from Transnet, further demonstrating Kalmar's commitment to ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of South Africa's largest stevedore.

The new 1-over-5 high and 1+6 wide units - scheduled for delivery starting in June 2009 with the final cranes arriving by November 2010 - have been earmarked for the expansion of TPT's Cape Town Container Terminal operation.

The RTGs will be supplied with Kalmar's Smartrail®, an autosteering and container position verification system, and will be fitted with Bromma spreaders. The automatic steering guides the crane along 'virtual tracks' while the container position verification can locate all of the containers in a terminal.

Edwin Briggeman, Managing Director, Kalmar Industries South Africa (Pty) Ltd, comments:

"This order confirms Transnet's long-term partnership with Kalmar. It follows from Transnet's successful operation of Kalmar equipment at TPT's Pier 1 Container Terminal in Durban, and from this year's earlier order for 22 RTGs for Transnet's new development at the Port of Ngqura."

Kalmar's E-One+ RTG is equipped with an eco-friendly low-emission diesel engine and all-electric trolley, wheel turning and spreader. The 'all-electric' concept removes the need for hydraulics and means that parts are easy to access and fewer components require maintenance. The spacious, ergonomic driver's cabin has excellent all-round visibility, making container handling easy for the operator.

Transnet is investing almost US$541 million to expand capacity at the Cape Town Container Terminal from 800,000 TEU to 1.4 million TEU.

Rising South African container traffic reinforces Kalmar-Transnet partnership

In April, Kalmar was asked to supply 30 CSC440 straddle carriers for Transnet's operations at Durban Container Terminal (DCT) in the Port of Durban. The new units - featuring Kalmar's proven 7th generation technology consisting of an enhanced CAN-bus PLC diagnostics system, fly-by-wire controls and PLC-controlled engines, and a hydrodynamic drive system - will quickly increase TPT's yard stacking density and produce more desirable productivity levels. The machines will be delivered starting in July 2008 with the final units arriving January 2009.

Early 2008 also saw Transnet award Kalmar major orders for equipment as well as a complete maintenance agreement. The terminal operator ordered 22 E-One+ RTGs cranes for the country's newest port development, Port of Ngqura, on the Eastern Cape. This order was in response to the terminal operator's great success with Kalmar equipment at its other South African facilities. TPT employs 18 E-One RTGs and two Kalmar reachstackers at its Pier 1 Container Terminal, as well as more than 140 Kalmar straddle carriers at its operations in Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Also this year, TPT engaged Kalmar to provide a comprehensive maintenance contract for all of its rubber-tyred equipment operating at Pier 1.

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Notes to editor:

Press information can be found on Kalmar's website: www.kalmarind.com. Simply click on News Room to be taken to a list of recent press releases. A photograph to accompany this release is also available on the Kalmar website, by clicking on Press Pictures. The caption for the photograph reads:

"With plans to expand its Cape Town Container Terminal operation, South African terminal operator TPT has ordered 32 Kalmar E-One+ RTGs - an agreement made on the heels of TPT's numerous requests this year for Kalmar cranes and straddle carriers."

Kalmar is a global provider of container and heavy duty materials handling equipment, automation applications and related services. It is the world's leading supplier of cargo handling equipment to ports, terminals and intermodal facilities.

Every fourth container or trailer transfer at terminals around the world is handled by a Kalmar machine. The company also supplies a wide range of machines to demanding industrial customers for applications as diverse as handling steel and paper to shunting road trailers at distribution hubs.

Kalmar is also leading the way in port automation applications with its application of unmanned container handling technology, on-board smart features and remote maintenance products developed in co-operation with customers and partners.

Kalmar's product range is complemented by a large range of value added services such as maintenance contracts and fleet management. Production plants are situated in Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Malaysia, China and the USA. Kalmar's net sales were EUR 1.343 billion in 2007.

Kalmar is part of Cargotec Corporation, the world's leading provider of cargo handling solutions, which are used in local transportation, terminals, ports, distribution centres, and ships. In 2007, Cargotec's net sales were EUR 3.018 billion. Cargotec's class B shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.