The parties have agreed not to disclose the value of this order.

The Kalmar RT240 provides exceptional performance, being able to handle containerised loads of up to 53,000lbs, across all types of terrain. Built to military standards, the RT240 has a proven ability to deliver a reliable materials handling solution, often in remote and challenging locations. 

Commenting on the order, Tim Crossno, Executive Vice President and CFO at Kalmar Rough Terrain Center in Cibolo, Texas, said, “This is yet another endorsement of the quality of Kalmar’s solutions for rough terrain applications. The RT240 can quickly be made ready for operation, it is simple to service, maintain and fix in the field. It also has the ability to ford through 5 feet of water and operate in extreme temperatures, which significantly increases uptime. A pre-existing parts agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency ensures that all replacement parts support requirements are optimised to precisely meet the customer’s needs.”

Designed to serve the new generation of large container vessels calling at the River Plate, TecPlata is being developed by ICTSI under a 30-year concession secured in late 2008. The first phase of the terminal is due to open at the end of this year, featuring a high degree of process automation technology to drive operational efficiency, reliability and safety. 

As part of this, the RFID-based ‘plug and play’ RAMS system will provide TecPlata with remote real-time reefer monitoring and control capabilities, allowing the company to safeguard the condition of chilled and frozen container cargoes transiting the terminal. Monitoring refrigerated containers automatically from a central location, rather than staff having to manually check equipment in the yard stacks, will also contribute to terminal safety.    

Identec Solutions will initially supply 500 RFID tags, out of 1020 reefer points deployed at TecPlata, plus associated RFID readers, to plug into the serial ports of reefer containers stored at the terminal, predominantly in rack locations. The tags will provide real-time temperature reports and alerts, interfacing via the readers with the terminal’s Navis ECN4 terminal operating system (TOS) to allow for continuous monitoring and rapid response to any incidents. As well as monitoring the condition of reefer containers, the RAMS system allows users to remotely adjust temperature settings and conduct pre-trip inspections (PTIs) either singly or in batch mode. 

Argentina is the second largest exporter of perishable produce from the East Coast of South America and refrigerated container traffic is therefore expected to make up a significant percentage of TecPlata’s throughput.  “As part of our comprehensive process automation strategy, implementing RAMS will allow us to efficiently and safely serve our reefer cargo customers,” commented Javier Ramirez, Operations Manager at TecPlata.

Deployment of the system is scheduled by the end of 2103, to coincide with the opening of the first phase of the terminal.

She worked for three years as a Senior Policy Adviser for the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), where she became familiar with EU structures and decision making procedures. By working for CER, she also developed an in depth knowledge of Europe’s transport policy and a good network of contacts in the transport and railway sector. Before joining CER, Kathrin worked in both the Commission and the Council of the EU. Her working experience combined with her education (an MA and BA course in European Studies at the University of Osnabrück (Germany) makes her an ideal candidate for the job.

“I very much welcome Kathrin on board”, said EFIP President Jean-Louis Jérôme, “Kathrin Obst comes with a solid experience in EU public affairs, transport policy and brings an in depth knowledge of railways and railway policy. Even if inland ports are mainly characterised by their link to inland waterway transport, they are more and more developing into multimodal nodes in the hinterland. The rail experience of Ms Obst will be a real asset for our organisation. I am sure that EFIP will be again in good hands”.

“I am very happy to be joining EFIP” says Kathrin Obst. “Waterborne transport, much like rail, is sustainable and will need to grow and develop in the coming years if the environmental challenges of the transport sector are to be met. I am looking forward to working with EFIP and our interlocutors in the European institutions on this exciting challenge.”

Besides her mother tongues German and English, Kathrin is also fluent in French and has basic knowledge in Italian and Turkish. Kathrin Obst will be working at the EFIP Secretariat, which is based in Brussels and has a joint office with ESPO. She will take up her new position on 1 November.

rder in July 2013 and the deliveries are expected by the end of the second quarter 2014. 

Increased productivity and reduced ownership costs were critical factors in the decision to specify Kalmar. The additional RTGs will significantly increase container capacity at the terminal, which currently handles over 1 million TEUs annually. Capt Sanjay Mehta, Vice President Director at TPS emphasised it was the combination of product performance and service support that swayed the decision:

“We are delighted to work with Kalmar. It was their ability to deliver the latest technology, through the E-One2, together with excellent service support from the local Kalmar dealer network that convinced us. We expect highly reliable equipment with features that reduce the cost of ownership to maximise the return on investment.”

The Kalmar E-One2 RTG has achieved a reputation for high productivity, with 7+1 wide, 1-over-5 high stacking and a maximum lifting capacity of 40 tonnes. Powered by a Cummins QSX15-600 engine, complete with Kalmar’s Variable Speed Generator (VSG) package, it boasts the industry’s lowest lifetime costs and consumes up to 25% less fuel, compared to conventional diesel-hydraulic RTGs. It also meets the latest environmental demands, without sacrificing operational efficiency. The equipment will be delivered with a new safety enhancing feature Anti Truck Lifting, which is a laser-based detection system that helps prevent unintentional lifting of the container chassis due to locked or jammed chassis twist-lock.