Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has concluded a deal with The Port of Virginia in the US for sixteen hybrid shuttle carriers. The new units will be delivered to the Virginia International Gateway container terminal. The order, with a value of approximately EUR 13 million, was booked in Cargotec's 2017 second quarter intake, and includes an option for a further 40 units, the company said in its press release.
Virginia International Gateway (VIG) terminal, located along the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, is operated by Virginia International Terminals LLC and under lease to Virginia Port Authority (VPA), which markets itself as The Port of Virginia, the fifth largest port in the USA. VIG has been operating three Kalmar hybrid shuttle carriers since August 2015. Their superior performance in terms of fuel consumption and emissions, as well as engine noise levels, was one of the key drivers behind this new order, together with Kalmar's proven track record in automation-ready horizontal transport solutions. Furthermore, Kalmar provides VIG with support and servicing through a dedicated local team of technicians with many years of experience and a comprehensive local inventory of off-the-shelf parts.
Testing performed by VIG and Kalmar over more than two years on the three hybrid machines already operating at VIG has demonstrated a significantly improved total return on investment compared with conventional diesel-electric machines. The Kalmar hybrid shuttle carriers consume almost 40% less fuel than comparable diesel-electric machines and cut carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 50 tons per year per machine.
Kalmar offers the widest range of cargo handling solutions and services to ports, terminals, distribution centres and to heavy industry. Kalmar is the industry forerunner in terminal automation and in energy efficient container handling, with one in four container movements around the globe being handled by a Kalmar solution.