The Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) crane from KCI Konecranes is conquering new markets. KCI Konecranes has received its first order for its new generation RTG from the U.S. West Coast and from the Spanish Mediterranean coastline. Both regions are fast growing container handling markets.
On June 18, 2004 Terminal de Contenidores de Valencia (TCV), part of GRUP TCB of Spain, contracted Konecranes VLC for the delivery of the first three Konecranes RTG cranes to Spain. “This order marks an important opening for Konecranes RTGs in Spain”, says Tuomas Saastamoinen, Sales Manager, Container handling, Konecranes VLC.” Spain is one of the largest markets for container handling equipment in Europe. Konecranes previous deliveries to ports in Spain have been in the field of Ship-to-Shore container cranes to Algeciras and Barcelona, both container terminals operated by GRUP TCB”.
The cranes will be delivered in February 2005 to the Port of Valencia situated on Spain’s eastern Mediterranean coastline.
Over 200 Konecranes new generation RTGs have been delivered worldwide and 100 of these are in operation along the US East and Gulf Coasts. In March 2004, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF) in Texas, USA contracted Konecranes VLC for the delivery of the first two Konecranes RTGs to the U.S. West Coast. "This is a real breakthrough for us in the United States. Now we can proceed to make new inroads and establish service support for RTG cranes also on the U.S. West Coast”, says Mikko Uhari, Managing Director, Konecranes VLC. “The positive testimonials of our customers along the East coast played an important role in winning this order.”
The cranes will be delivered in October 2004 to the intermodal hub located in Los Angeles, operated by BNSF’s subsidiary The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company. The railway is among the world's top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more grain than any other American railroad, and hauls enough coal to generate about ten percent of the electricity produced in the United States.
The 16 wheel RTG's that have been ordered have a lifting capacity of 50 tons, a lifting height of one-over-five containers and span of six-plus-truck lane. The RTGs have a high performance specification. Handling efficiency is achieved by high hoist, trolley traverse and gantry speeds.
The RTGs will be fully equipped with modern features including Sway Prevention and Fine Positioning Systems. All features are electromechanical, with no hydraulics involved. Eliminating the hydraulic systems and utilising AC drives significantly reduces the maintenance costs of the RTGs. KCI Konecranes own AC Frequency Control System composes the most modern and reliable drive for the RTG crane.
Further information can be obtained from
Konecranes VLC Oy
Jyrki Melaanvuo, Director, RTG Cranes
Email: [email protected]
Phone +358 20 -427 2666, Fax: +358 20 427 2599
Tuomas Saastamoinen, Sales Manager
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +358 40 -516 8562, Fax: +358 20 427 2599
This press release together with a downloadable high-resolution picture is available at our web site www.konecranes.com at “Latest News”.
Konecranes VLC is part of the KCI Konecranes Group’s Special Cranes Business Area and specialises in port, terminal and shipyard cranes.
KCI Konecranes, headquartered in Hyvinkää, Finland is a world leading Engineering Group specialising in advanced overhead lifting solutions and maintenance services. KCI Konecranes is the world's leading supplier of heavy-duty cranes for process industries. KCI Konecranes is a global supplier of special harbour cranes for bulk materials and containers and a leading provider of shipyard cranes. In 2003, Group sales totalled EUR 665 million with 4300 employees in 34 countries all over the world.
