The contract calls for the maintenance of 18 Kalmar E-One rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, two Kalmar reachstackers and a range of other-branded machinery including 40 terminal tractors, 47 trailers and two empty container handlers. A dedicated maintenance team of approximately 20 Kalmar service technicians will work around-the-clock, 365 days a year to ensure that Pier 1 Container Terminal operates with the highest possible machine availability.
“Kalmar is confident that it can offer TPT the same quality and expertise in service it has come to expect from its equipment such as the E-One RTGs and reachstackers at Pier 1 and the more than 140 Kalmar straddle carriers operating at TPT’s container terminals in Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. We are extremely pleased to be entering a new phase of our partnership,” comments Edwin Briggeman, Managing Director, Kalmar Industries South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
“Kalmar’s decision to open offices in South Africa to provide closer customer support is bearing good results,” says Mr. Sabelo Mzimela, Senior Manager, Capital Projects & Engineering Services Department at TPT’s head office. “Kalmar is now better positioned to provide TPT with the critical skills and experience needed to perform world class maintenance of our operating equipment. We are all excited by the opportunity to work with Kalmar in maintaining high reliability and availability of our critical equipment, which is necessary in order to meet our stringent production targets as well as satisfy customers.”
Pier 1 was developed to handle the Port of Durban’s substantial increase in the volume of cargo. TPT initially ordered 12 all-electric Kalmar E-One RTGs during the beginning stages of Pier 1’s development; however, as the terminal became increasingly crucial in the future efficiency of the Port, TPT ordered six more similar units from Kalmar. These 6+1 wide and 1-over-5 high RTGs, also equipped with Kalmar’s Smartrail® autosteering and container position verification technology, were delivered in the second half of 2007.
The Port of Durban handled 2.3 million TEUs in 2007 and expects a sizable increase in 2008.