Turkey's YILPORT orders 21 Kalmar terminal tractors

Order includes the country's first units with CAN-BUS technology

YILPORT Container Terminal AS has awarded Kalmar Industries an order for 21 terminal tractors destined for its new container terminal in Izmit Bay, Turkey, located 40 kilometres east of Istanbul. According to the agreement, the customer has requested six TTX182i units - the first Kalmar i-model series terminal tractors equipped with CAN-BUS technology to enter the Turkish market - and 15 PT122 units. Delivery of the machines will begin October 2007.

Recognising a need for congestion-free and cost-effective container transport, YILPORT is investing in state-of-the-art technologies for its new port and intermodal facility to better serve the Turkish market, which is gradually becoming more containerised. The TTX182i units were ordered for their ability to quickly manoeuvre laden loads between YILPORT's portside container transfer station and its rail depot located 1.2 kilometres inland. These heavy-duty terminal tractors, outfitted with EU Stage 3A / Tier III engines and automatic gear control, offer customers more power and torque, especially when highway speeds are required. The PT122 units will support the operation of three quayside gantry cranes, each with a 50-metre outreach.

For many years, YILPORT rented Kalmar reachstackers and empty container handlers for its small container and chemical terminal, which is now the site of its new container yard. YILPORT's familiarity with Kalmar equipment and the excellent service support it received from the local Kalmar dealer reinforced its decision.

Robert Yuksel Yildirim, President of YILPORT Container Terminal, adds:

"Kalmar has a reputation for supplying innovative equipment. The i-model terminal tractors feature easier handling, longer service intervals and faster troubleshooting ability thanks to CAN-BUS technology. These benefits will allow us to cut costs in our current operation and increase the efficiency in our services to the liner operators.

"Our relationship with the Kalmar dealer in Turkey also played a significant role in our choice of new equipment. They have been a reliable rental and service agent, and I am very confident that they will provide superior technical support. Our cooperation will continue as the need for additional port equipment arises."

YILPORT has signed a letter of intent with Kalmar to purchase 30 additional Kalmar terminal tractors over the course of the next three years.

Turkey's new multi-purpose port
YILPORT Container Terminal is located in the heart of Turkey's industrial zone offering customers a range of services that include container, liquid cargo and general cargo handling, warehousing, logistics, and IT services. Its construction is being planned in three phases without disrupting current operations. YILPORT's current capacity is 100,000 TEU, but by 2013 the container terminal's total capacity will be 2 million TEU.

-ends-

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. Photographs to accompany this release are also available on the Kalmar website, by clicking on Press Pictures. The caption for the photographs reads:

Kalmar will deliver the first terminal tractors equipped with CAN-BUS technology to Turkey with a recent order from YILPORT Container Terminal A.S. for six Kalmar TTX182i units and 15 PT122 units.

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 1.2 billion in 2006.

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 2006 Cargotec's net sales were EUR 2.6 billion. Cargotec's class B shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.