Pacorini Metals Terminals B.V. in Vlissingen invested in a new Liebherr mobile harbour crane, type LHM 420, which started operation in summer 2014.

The new LHM 420 has an outreach of 48m and provides a maximum lifting capacity of 84 tonnes. Tasks of the crane include container handling as well as bulk operation. A powerful crane set-up ensures high speed in terms of hoisting, slewing and luffing in order to achieve maximum turnover.

“The new LHM 420 plays a major role in our intra-port logistics chain. Due to the high performance of the crane we have vast capacity available to quickly load and unload all sorts of vessels. This remarkable investment also underlines our aim to provide best service to our customers,” says Mark Doene, Commercial Manager for Pacorini Metals Terminals B.V. (Pacorini).

Pacorini offers a wide range of services all over the world, like warehousing, stevedoring, warranting, collateral management, cutting and packing, screening and crushing, forwarding and chartering and customs formalities. Headquartered in Switzerland, Pacorini operates three facilities in the Netherlands where they are mainly specialized in handling and storage of Non-Ferrous metals, Ferro Alloys & Minor Metals. For their bulk terminal in Vlissingen, the company added a new LHM 420 to their cargo handling fleet. On the mouth of the river Western Scheldt, the facilities in Vlissingen provide excellent access to road, rail and inland waterways. Customers value the well-developed intermodal links in Vlissingen which built the base for becoming an important hub for international trade.

Pacorini’s new LHM 420 is the first of its type in the Netherlands. It follows in the footsteps of its predecessor model, type LHM 400, which was delivered eight times to the most northern of the Benelux countries.

The MICT is expected to benefit from Ghandar’s sterling
experience in both the container terminal and liner shipping industries, especially his expertise in taking new terminals to a high level of operational efficiency. Of note are his stints as CEO of ICTSI’s Kattupalli International Container Terminal in India and as COO
of APM Terminals’ Tangier-Med facility in Morocco. Both terminals are known for their extremely high level of berth productivity.

Ghandar and his team led the startup operations of the two terminals, both considered as greenfield projects, building the business and improving all operations and commercial processes for greater productivity. Ghandar also possesses in-depth knowledge of process automation solutions for container terminals that leverage cutting edge hardware and software for increased efficiency, safety and capacity while lowering costs to achieve efficient processes.

The appointment comes shortly after Ghandar successfully completed tasks relating to ICTSI’s various projects in the Asian Region. Ghandar reports directly to Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI Head of Asia-Pacific.

The new machines replace five existing Hyster empty container handlers commissioned in 2009.

“We have six years of good experience of the Hyster products combined with responsive service support delivered by the Hyster dealer, Heffiq,” says Cees van Pelt, Manager Technical Department and Projects at RST. “The co-operation is excellent
and we wanted to continue the relationship.” RST, is one of the largest shortsea container transhipment companies in Europe and expects to load and unload ships quickly and efficiently, which relies on machine availability.

“It’s a tough 24/7 operation in Rotterdam Port with each empty container handler working intensely for up to 4,000hrs per year,” says Cees, explaining that RST reviewed a number of competitive machines. “Reliability is essential and after six years using the previous Hyster model, we know we can depend on Hyster Big Trucks.” With engine, transmission and hydraulic protection systems, automatic greasing, oil-immersed brakes, a ‘cooling on demand’ system and many other features, Hyster ensures unmatched reliability as well as offering a low total cost of
ownership.

The new Hyster® H22XM-12EC empty container handlers were delivered in July 2014 and have already helped RST reduce their fuel bill significantly, while giving excellent performance. The Stage IIIB compliant trucks have achieved a 15% fuel saving compared
to the previous model. Cees explains that a contributing factor in the decision making process was the exceptional fuel savings provided by four new Hyster® ReachStackers delivered in 2013.

“Uniquely, the Hyster ReachStacker is so powerful, it can lift, extend the boom and move at the same time,” says Cees. “But we also save at least 4 litres per hour on each truck, which makes a big difference on the cost to move each container. Hyster has proven
its fuel saving promise.”

Featuring the latest Cummins QSB 6.7 engine, the powerful empty container handlers feature load-sensing hydraulics which allows a high lifting speed at low RPM. The machines handle containers up to seven high and 45′ long and feature a variety of masts.

Martijn Veerkamp, Commercial director at Heffiq BV says “The drivers like the machines which have good speed of response, low noise levels and a comfortable cabin. There is also excellent visibility, low centre of gravity and great manoeuvrability, giving the drivers confidence to operate quickly and efficiently.”

The trucks are also faster to service, with highly trained Heffiq engineers resident at the terminal for planned and unplanned maintenance.

“We ensure important spare parts are kept on-site, while rapid response for other parts is provided by the Hyster European parts operation in Nijmegen (the Netherlands),” explains Martijn. “Heffiq’s consistent and well planned service operation keeps these trucks performing at their best in this demanding application.”

Heffiq trains the drivers and RST uses the Hyster Tracker fleet  management system to provide monthly reports and daily operational information as required. The Hyster Tracker monitors who drives the equipment and how they drive, recording productivity and fuel costs as well as forcing mandatory daily checks.

“We have a complete understanding of our operation, including how much it costs us to move a single container,” explains Cees. “Our partnership with Hyster and Heffiq is excellent and our operation is continuously improving as a result.”

In December, TPS was awarded several contracts from existing and new customers. One of the customers was Italian freight forwarder Roberto Bucci S.p.A. (Bucci), who ordered a Model 7 mobile harbour crane in the G HMK 7608 variant for its Flavio Gioia Terminal in Naples. Further orders came from port operators in Haiti, Chile, UAE, Finland, Belgium and Indonesia. The crane for Bucci will begin commercial operation in spring 2015 and will be part of an overall fleet of five Terex Gottwald mobile harbour cranes in the Flavio Gioia Terminal. The new machine with its maximum radius of 54 m and lifting speed up to 100 m/min will help Bucci to further extend its operational flexibility and to enter new market segments. It will load and unload container ships and handle a range of general cargo. The crane’s powerful capacity curve with a maximum lifting capacity of 150 t will also allow Bucci to handle special heavy project cargo.Terex Port Solutions to deliver G HMK 7608 to Roberto Bucci S.p.A.’s Terminal in Naples