London Container Terminal (LCT) in Tilbury has received eight new Kalmar straddle carriers, bringing the total number of straddles at the facility to 40.
The eight Kalmar ESC450W carriers have been made with specifications to match the 14 straddles acquired in 2013 to ensure consistency in the terminal’s fleet.
The new carriers have a 50 tonne load carrying capacity with twin-lift spreaders capable of handling the full range of container sizes.
Three of the new straddles are part of LCT’s equipment replacement programme, with the other five going into service to meet the increase in container business at the terminal.
Stuart Wallace, divisional director of Forth Ports, owners of LCT, said that the investment would help to secure Tilbury’s position in the shipping and distribution market covering London and the South East of England.
Tilbury, which handles more than 500,000 teu annually, is the “only UK port truly servicing both deep sea and short sea customers,” he added.
Over the past four years, LCT has invested in two Paceco ship-to-shore cranes, a Liebherr 550 mobile crane, 14 new Kalmar straddle carriers, a single reception gate covering both security and container processing, new cranes, a bespoke ICT system and surfacing work.
Forth Ports’ investment programme at LCT comes to around £20m (US$29m) in total.
