The new shuttle carriers will play a key role in the conversion of NIT to a terminal that uses rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs) versus one that relied on straddle carriers. The conversion allows for higher container-stack density required for handling the larger container vessels calling Virginia. “These shuttle carriers are another step in the evolution of NIT and of the growing capabilities at The Port of Virginia,” said John Reinhart, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority. The USD23 million shuttle carrier order exercises a contract option with Kalmar, which part of the Cargotec Corp., for additional units that was agreed upon in 2017. Delivery of the new machines is scheduled for completion by the end of July 2020. The Port of Virginia has been using Kalmar Hybrid Shuttle Carriers since Aug. 2015. “During the past two years, we have worked very closely with Kalmar on the development of this new technology,” said Rich Ceci, the port’s Senior Vice President, Technology & Projects. We are confident in the capability of Kalmar: the team is exceptional and its commitment to support has been fantastic.” The capacity expansion project at NIT is progressing according to schedule. There are 18 new stacks served by 36 new RMGs already in service. Work on the next phase of stack-yard construction is underway with the next group of RMGs scheduled for delivery in January 2020. When the project is complete, the terminal’s annual container capacity will have been expanded by 400,000 units, or 46 percent.
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
