This strengthens the company’s position as one of the leading suppliers in this product segment. “Our machines have established themselves in the market with their reliability and performance,” says Guido Luini, Managing Director of TPS in Würzburg. “They are also well-known for their modern diesel-electric drive concept, which provides economical operation with low pollutant and noise emissions. We have already delivered about 900 straddle carriers and sprinter carriers with this drive system all over the world.”
The Belgian terminal operator PSA Antwerp NV (PSA) has just ordered eleven Terex NSC 634 E straddle carriers. From March 2014, these units will supplement the existing fleet in PSA’s various terminals in the Port of Antwerp. PSA Antwerp NV is part of the PSA International Group, a leading global port operator. The new vehicles will be fitted with custom equipment, including swivelling driver seats for improved ergonomics and other technical modifications to help PSA reduce maintenance costs and to provide secure operation.
Another order for four Terex NSC 634 E and three Terex NSC 644 E straddle carriers comes from Antwerp as well. From December this year, these units will be going to the terminal operator MSC Home Terminal, a joint venture of PSA and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s second largest shipping line. These vehicles will also be customised with complete hardware and software for seamless integration into the existing operational infrastructure. This includes camera systems for exact positioning under the ship-to-shore cranes and interface modules for wireless operating data acquisition and remote servicing.
Comprehensive fleet expansion in South Africa
In the last few months, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), a division of the state-owned South African logistics group Transnet SOC Ltd., placed follow-up orders for a total of twenty-two Terex NSC 644 E straddle carriers. TPT operates terminals in seven South African ports, including Durban, where 28 straddle carriers from TPS have been operated since 2012. Within the framework of an enlargement of the port, the existing fleet in Durban is being expanded with 18 new machines, 13 of which were delivered recently, with the rest following in April 2014. The order package was completed by four more machines for the container terminal in Capetown for delivery in February 2014.
Win-win situation for equipment supplier and operators
TPS has had successful customer relations with the three operators mentioned for many years which, in addition to the supply of straddle carriers, also include maintenance and support services. “That is a win-win situation for both sides,” says Luini. “Terminal operators profit from state-of-the-art technology which supports efficient cargo handling and, in this way, meets the desire of their customers for improved economy. Another advantage is the environmental friendliness of the drive units, which help our customers to meet the continually stricter requirements for emission control in ports. On the other side, we are constantly learning from the operators of our machines, so we can work continuously on their further development and adapt them to the markets of the future.”