Russia rolls out its first ever diesel-electric RTG crane
Kaliningrad region, Russia based BALTKRAN has unveiled its first diesel-electric eco-friendly Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) crane, in-house designed and manufactured by this regional leader in engineering and fabrication of handling equipment, the Kaliningrad government's press office said.
The inauguration ceremony for the first ever domestic-built RTG crane was held on the territory of BALTCRANE and was attended by Kaliningrad Gov. Nikolai Tsukanov and representatives of major regional companies.
The RTG crane specifications: height overall - 28 meters, crane track width - 26.5 meters, 16 tyred wheels, diameter -1400 mm, lifting capacity - in excess of 40 tonnes. "In fact, this crane can replace two or three rail mounted cranes", said BALTKRAN director Oleg Yermolaev. He added the RTG crane was designed to operate in critical temperatures between - 40 and + 40 degrees Celcius.
Yermolaev claims: "As of yet no Western company is able to supply to the Russian market such specification". The domestic-made equipment also features a unique capability in handling loads: the crane can lift one container from the stack without disassembling all containers.
Almost all stages of work were performed by specialists of BALTKRAN, including preparation of the equipment drawings, steel layout, assembly, welding, mechanical and electrical installation, commissioning and testing. The company has invested in this new project reached RUB 49 million. Overall, in six recent years BALTKRAN has spent in research, development of new products and outfitting workplaces about 485 million rubles.
Oleg Yermolaev noted that the production of such advance technology products in the company, which today generates a fifth of the regional output of machinery and equipment will allow to gear up for the "2016 problem", which means that as from April 1, 2016 a number of benefits of Special Economic Zone will be canceled in the Kaliningrad region.
"From 2016, some of our products will become uncompetitive. Therefore, the company decided, to make such a crane well in advance, which would mitigate the inevitable impact, to maintain our position in the markets and jobs. We are launching a new product with new solutions for container handling. RTG Crane is our product that has become an embodiment of our intellect. We are confident that he can find a ready market all over the world. We hope that with the growth of its supply will grow and the number of jobs, "- said Oleg Yermolaev.
Kaliningrad Governor Nikolai Tsukanov congratulated the employees of BALTKAN with the introduction of the unique equipment. He said that this is a tremendous event for the Russia's exclave region, which is tasked with development of high-tech products.
BALTKRAN was established in October 1945 on the base of three former German armored ships with foundry. The enterprise started to fabricate winches, pumps and derricks. Currently, JSC BALTKRAN specializes in engineering, fabrication, and supply of sophisticated lifting equipment for several sectors – river and marine terminals, railway terminals, offshore oil platforms, ships and shipyards, engineering plants, nuclear power plants for operations in adverse weather conditions in the Arctic, Far North, Siberia and Polar regions. The company has manufactured more than 11,000 cranes for Russian and foreign customers.