The machines will start commercial operation by the middle of December in time for the opening of the newly designed Cargo Terminal Lübeck (CTL) on the north bank of the River Trave. The G HMK 5506 crane will primarily provide efficient container handling but it is also suitable for handling particularly heavy project cargo. The three reach stackers will take over the management of the container stackyard and handle swap bodies. One of the three reach stackers is equipped with a piggyback spreader for handling swap bodies while the others are fitted with standard spreaders.

Potential for many different types of terminals

The Terex Gottwald G HMK 5506 crane with its diesel-electric drive and three-phase current technology provides a strong lifting capacity curve and a maximum lifting capacity of 125 t. It also has a radius of up to 51 m and a maximum lifting speed of 120 m/min. Lehmann will use the crane alongside vessels with up to ten container rows. The wide lifting radius allows the operator particular flexibility when positioning the crane on the quay. The high lifting capacity and strong lifting capacity curve also open up the possibility for Lehmann to handle particularly heavy project cargo and offers the potential to enter into new business areas on the Baltic Sea. The reach stackers travel at up to 25 kph, have a wheelbase of 6.5 m and can stack high cube containers
(9′ 6″) up to five high. They provide maximum lifting capacity of 45 t under the standard spreader, lifting speeds of up to 0.34 m/s and are fitted with an electronic weighing and safety system among other state-of-the-art features.

Cost-effective and environmentally friendly handling

Model 5 cranes were developed predominantly for terminal operators who are looking for a high-performance and appropriately equipped mobile harbour crane. They combine the functional and compact design of the medium-sized crane family from TPS with the operational capabilities of the large crane family – a combination that also impressed Lehmann. “The G HMK 5506 is a crane that provides us with all the technical and ergonomic functions and equipment features that we require for cost-effective and environmentally friendly cargo handling in our terminals”, says CEO Holger Lehmann. A further argument for awarding the contract to TPS was the comprehensive product range combined with the high level of consulting competence, Lehmann continues: “From the beginning, we had the impression that Terex Port Solutions, thanks to its comprehensive portfolio, would work with us to find the right solution for our terminal, consisting of the crane and reach stackers, whereby it is a crucial advantage for us to obtain all handling equipment from a single source.”

Coordinated products, short communication channels, fast delivery

Klaus Peter Hoffmann, Vice President & Managing Director of Terex Port Solutions, also sees the comprehensive product range as the trump card of TPS, which customers appreciate more and more: “A manufacturer that can offer a complete package based on state-of-the-art technology creates short communication channels that saves time for its customers.” As a holistic supplier, TPS supplies products that work together and produce an integrated whole solution: “We not only have the most comprehensive product range for port handling equipment on the market, but we can develop customized solutions for customers for all aspects of their terminals. And thanks to our advance order program, for mobile harbour cranes for example, we can also deliver our solutions quickly,” states Hoffmann. Hans Lehmann KG’s port services division provides a full range of port-related services at its four multifunctional terminals offering berthing length of more than 2,500 m. The Lübeck company founded in 1926 is firmly established in the port business in North Germany.

Being another element of the investment plan to improve the infrastructure and capacity of the terminal, the new cranes will be able to operate on 23 rows Ultra Large Container Carriers, in both single and twin lift mode, with an expandable twin lift spreader, thus enabling LSCT to operate on the largest and latest generation vessels being deployed by global shipping lines, improving the operational capability. Customers will benefit from improved flexibility and easier choice for the design of their service network.

MGM-OMG developed a customized crane design and solutions in order to comply with LSCT technical requirements and original specifications taking into consideration the specific interaction between the quay and RMGs transferring containers to and from the stacking area thus resulting in the customized design based on 18 m of crane span. The new design of the cranes and resulting configuration and features, fully developed by MGM-OMG, meet the LSCT requirements in terms of performance, dimension and total gross weight.

Delivery is planned for February 2014 from Cargotec’s production plant in Bjuv, Sweden.

“The new Siwertell unit will offer the company a flexible, low cost cement handling operation,” says Jörgen Ojeda, Siwertell Sales Director. “TAD Enterprises currently employs a pneumatic mobile unloader, but is not happy with its performance. The company also expressed concerns about the level of maintenance that this type of unloading system demands.

“With more than 400 units put on the market since 1992, Siwertell unloading systems have proven themselves in service. This market-leading reputation for reliability and the support offered by Cargotec Sweden Bulk Handling were essential elements in securing this new contract,” explains Mr Ojeda.

“Along with reliability, Siwertell mobile unloaders offer flexibility and high capacity bulk handling combined with low operational and maintenance costs; this also had a major impact on the client’s decision.”

The diesel-powered, trailer-based Siwertell 5 000 S system will be used to load trucks alongside the berth for further transportation by road. It will be fitted with a double-bellows system for handling cement continuously at a rated capacity of 300t/h. The unit will also have a dust filter system to ensure a low environmental impact.

“This is one of the busiest port complexes in the entire world,” President Obama told the crowd following a tour of the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal. “You move millions of tons of steel and chemicals and fuel and food every single year. And, in so many ways, this Port is representative of what ports all around the country do: They help to keep our economy going – moving products, moving people, making sure that businesses are working.”

President Obama highlighted the 60 percent of the nation’s grain that is exported by ports along the Lower Mississippi River from states, such as his home state of Illinois.

“Corn and wheat from my home state come down the River, ending up here and going all around the world,” President Obama said. “Part of the reason why we’ve been able to increase exports so rapidly, is because we’ve got some of the best natural resources, waterways and facilities in the world.”

The President toured the container terminal with Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange, Ports America General Manager Keith Palmisano, ILA longshoreman Chris Hammond, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx and Congressman Cedric Richmond.

“Today was a monumental occasion, as we hosted our 44th President Barack Obama,” LaGrange told the crowd. “We are here today at one of the most robust ports in the world within the world’s largest port complex – the Lower Mississippi River. This River serves 62 percent of the nation’s consumer spending public. That’s 32 states and two Canadian provinces. We are truly the gateway to America and the world. And as the global and national economy continues to recover and grow, international trade will fuel that growth.”

President Obama cited federal investments made into the Port, such as a $16.7 million TIGER grant in 2012, which is being used to fund the Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal. The project will include reconfiguring a 12-acre rail yard adjacent to the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal. The new rail yard will be modernized into an efficient intermodal transfer facility making the movement of goods safer, cheaper and more sustainable.

The new rail terminal will add 200,000 TEUs or twenty-foot-equivalent units of capacity annually to the container terminal – bringing its total annual capacity to 840,000 TEUs.

During the tour, LaGrange promoted major projects such as deepening the Mississippi River from its current 45-47-foot draft to 50 feet – the same project draft of the new Panama Canal Locks. A recent study by noted economist Dr. Tim Ryan determined a deeper River would create $11.49 billion in US production, generate 17,000 new jobs and mean $849 million in increased income for American workers. Additionally, the study found for every $1 spent on the project, it would generate $89.40 in benefits.

LaGrange also focused on further infrastructure investment needs within the container terminal, such as the completion of its second and third phases. Overall, $523 million is needed to complete the terminal – adding an additional 600,000 TEUs of capacity and bringing the total capacity of the terminal to 1.53 million TEUs annually.