“They are all intelligently designed to offer a unique blend of high productivity, reliable proven components, fuel efficiency and outstanding driver comfort for intense use in ports or in heavy industry.” The range of nine models includes four conventional forklift models with between 25,000kg and 32,000kg lifting capacity at 1,200mm load centre.  Three new ultra-compact models are built for operations where space is limited, with wheelbases of between 3.655m and 3.935m, and there are two container handlers which have a dedicated carriage for the container spreader. All models offer class-leading lifting performance, and have been re-launched featuring Tier 4i/stage IIIB compliant engines which are expected to deliver lower overall exhaust emissions and fuel savings of up to 15%.

The robust powertrain ensures increased dependability for long periods of peak power operation with protection for the engine and the 3-speed transmission.

The Hyster world class Big Truck assembly line in Nijmegen is already building the 25-32t range featuring the new Cummins QSB 6.7 engine (up to 270 hp, 201kW) which delivers rapid boost at low engine rpm and then maintains high boost at higher rpm independent of engine speed. This is due to the Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT™) which varies the exhaust gas flow into the turbine wheel.

In addition to the Cummins engine technologies, Hyster has introduced new performance optimisation developments, such as cooling on demand, RPM management and alternate engine idle speed, to help further reduce the total fuel consumption. “The 25-32 tonne range is packed with features to reduce energy consumption and save fuel and helps drivers maintain comfort and concentration throughout a shift” adds Antoon, explaining that the trucks only provide maximum power on demand, when it is really needed, with load-sensing hydraulics that ‘feel’ the load weight that is lifted. 

As maximum loads are not always handled (and many lift modes are without load), the trucks do not always require maximum engine power and therefore less fuel will be consumed. The operating speed of the hydraulic functions (lift, tilt, sideshift, fork-positioners) can also be adjusted to suit the requirements of a specific application. The trucks are also highly versatile thanks to the ‘dual-function’ carriage. The hook-style design with a ‘quick-disconnect’ (dis)mounting feature for the forks enables fast exchange between forks and attachments such as coil rams. Sideshift and fork-positioning functions are featured as standard, and include two fork-positioning working ranges, enabling a uniquely wide ‘in-to-in’ or ‘out-to-out’ range of the forks.  The robust masts offer extra strength thanks to the unique ‘6-roller’ construction, for heavy lifts up to 6.20m high. 

For the operator, the Hyster ‘Vista’ Operator Compartment offers excellent comfort, outstanding ergonomics and a low noise level. The design of the cab provides the operator with excellent all-round visibility, and particularly of the operating area.  The cab is ideally positioned, mid-high and towards the front, for optimal visibility, which offers excellent vision sideways and rearwards, boosting driver confidence and performance. 

“We have also made Tier4i/Stage IIIB compliance easy for the operator by using EGR* engine technology, which means that the end user does not have to change the way it operates. Diesel fuel is added to the tank in exactly the same way and the engine does the rest with no additional equipment, additives or maintenance regimes, unlike SCR** technology” Antoon adds.

Operators can also select either an ECO-eLo “fuel efficiency” or HiP “high performance” mode. The HiP mode is the normal operating mode, whereas the ECO-eLo mode reduces the maximum engine speed and optimises fuel efficiency.

Maintenance requirements are kept to a minimum with features such as oil-immersed brakes and increased service intervals, contributing to lower overall operating costs. The tilting cab, which ensures easy access to key components, also makes servicing easier. The entire Hyster ‘Big Truck’ range is available with various configurations and options to suit specific application requirements and this model is also available with Tier 3/Stage IIIA compliant engines for some regions.

Hyster products are distributed and supported through an extensive network of authorised, exclusive dealers, providing extensive local coverage through their sales and service locations across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), The Americas and Asia-Pacific.

Now available on a global basis, HTS 3G systems combine the latest high resolution mega-pixel industrial cameras and ultra-strong LED illumination units running on a GigE network with upgraded software. GigE, or Gigabit Ethernet, is the newest generation of Ethernet, with improved data communication rates of up to 1000 Mbps, or 1 gigabit per second, providing high-speed, highly reliable, transmission of video images and related control data from computer vision systems. HTS 3G systems can also handle significantly higher volumes of data and information provided by the OCR imaging units. 

Alongside the use of GigE, the superior capabilities of the new camera and LED technologies mean that 3G systems can more reliably capture high-quality images in a wider range of climate and environmental conditions. This includes better management of the transition from day to night operations, as the new systems are programmed to automatically adjust to differing light conditions.

The implementation of the 3G systems on an IP platform also reduces infrastructure costs for interfacing and networking OCR systems with remote servers. For port and terminal operators with fibre infrastructure already installed, no additional cost will now be incurred to place gate lane PCs in an onsite server area, as a direct Ethernet connection to a remote server is more cost effective. Extra charges normally associated with having lane PCs physically located next to each gate are therefore eliminated.

HTS adds that the new generation technology further enhances the all-round performance of its OCR systems for container and vehicle identification, giving higher confidence levels, better seal image and detection, sharper imaging for container damage inspection and identification of door direction, improved video clips and enhanced IMO hazardous material label recognition and classification. 

“Marine terminals are increasingly looking to automation technologies to deliver improved operational and cost efficiencies. Use of OCR technology in the ports market is well-established and growing; HTS alone has an installed base of over 750 systems in more than 50 terminals and 17 different countries,” said Philip Elovic, CEO and President of HTS. “However, terminals are now expecting more advanced offerings from computer vision systems, as their challenges become more complex both from a logistical and management point of view”.

The first 3G system has already been installed on the US WestCoast and HTS will now provide the 3G technology as standard on all new projects worldwide. For existing installations, the company will also provide 2G to 3G upgrades as requested by customers.  

HTS will be showing the new 3G technology and other recent company developments at the TOC Europe show in Antwerp, Belgium, 7-9 June, where it exhibits on stand B12.

Ends
  

Captain Kjell Holm and his crew were officially welcomed afterwards by Cathy Kietzer, the President of the Schleswig-Holstein state capital. During an on-board reception she presented the traditional First Call plaque and the Guest Flag of the City

of Kiel. “It’s a big day for our port”, said Cathy Kietzer. “We are delighted that the maiden voyage of “Mein Schiff 2″ has brought her to us, here in the Kiel fiord. Kiel is the perfect turnaround port for cruises in northern Europe”. This is the third year in a row that Kiel has been the base port for TUI Cruises in northern Europe. “Mein Schiff 2” will set out from the Ostseekai Terminal a total of twelve times up to the start of September for cruises to the biggest cities on the Baltic, along the Norwegian fiords and to the North Cape and also Spitzbergen. Dr Dirk Claus, Managing Director of the Port of Kiel (SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co. KG) said “cruise shipping in Germany has never before been in such demand as it is now. Port locations on the North Sea and the Baltic all profit from every additional ship that goes into service on the growing German market”. “Mein Schiff 2”, named on May 14th this year, was completed at the Meyer Shipyard for Celebrity Cruises in 1997 as “Mercury”. Of 77,700 GT, she is 265 m long and can accommodate 1,900 passengers. This evening, she leaves Kiel for Bergen in Norway. The SEEHAFEN KIEL operates Kiel’s commercial port on behalf of the Schleswig- Holstein state capital, of which it is a 100% subsidiary. It boasts a total of three modern terminals for ferry and cruise ships at the Ostseekai, Schwedenkai and Norwegenkai – all of them close to the city centre. Inside just five years, with the support of the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein and the EU, in excess of 60 million Euros have been invested in the expansion of port facilities. This year, Kiel is, once again, the most popular turnaround port in Germany for cruise ships. Up to the end of the season, there will be 119 calls by 18 different cruise ships and more than 360,000 passengers will either board or leave a cruise ship in the port.

In front of an audience of about 70 port business leaders and port authority executives at the port’s Cruise Terminal 2, Governor Scott’s bill signing today marks a milestone that effectively and immediately puts an end to certain Florida seaport requirements that were considered to be unnecessary, costly and duplicative—namely the requirement of two individual port access badges that each required separate background checks and administrative processes. By eliminating such redundancy, the legislation bolsters port stakeholders who have been at a competitive disadvantage with ports from other states, because of costs and administrative burdens not faced by ports in other states.

Port users, including truckers, longshoremen and anyone else requiring port access to accomplish a wide variety of related occupations, will see immediate cost and time savings related to port access badging. Additionally, this new law will allow flexibility to more efficiently allocate security resources at the Port of Tampa—a port that provides unique security circumstances because of the size and scope of port properties, access points and port/cargo operations.

For the last few years, port authority staff and a diverse mix of other port business leaders, locally and from around the state, had been working together to provide solid arguments and official testimony advocating that duplicate access badges were unnecessary and counterproductive. Notably, the Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association (PTMIA), with the ongoing leadership of Tampa attorney Tim Shusta, and the Propeller Club—Port of Tampa, were fierce advocates in this regard. A consistent and unified Port of Tampa voice, combined with staunch support on the legislative level, was critical in seeing the eventual passage of the bill, which has now become law.

“We are extremely pleased as a port community to see this legislation become reality today,” Richard Wainio, Tampa’s port director and chief executive, said. “The Tampa Port Authority is wholly committed to providing a strong security framework. This legislation will allow us additional flexibility to more efficiently manage and deploy security resources at the Port of Tampa. Most importantly, it removes significant and unnecessary cost and administrative burdens from our port stakeholders. We commend bill sponsors Representative Young and Senator Latvala for their commitment to championing this legislation, and we thank Governor Scott for signing the bill today,” he said.

Today’s signing falls on the heels of the governor’s visit a few weeks ago to the Port of Tampa, where he received a thorough briefing on the port’s operations, key development plans and a guided tour of port facilities. Gov. Scott has been very public about his support of ports in Florida and their strong connection to the vitality of the state’s economy.