Sapo moves to vertical expansion at ports

Order placed for 53 new straddle carriers TERRY HUTSON A SECOND large order for straddle carriers has been placed by SA Port Operations with the Finnish manufacturer, Kalmar. The new order is for a total of 53 straddle carriers costing R294 million, which will be delivered between November 2005 and mid 2006 for operation at the container terminals in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Fifteen of the new straddles will go into service at the Durban Container Terminal. The significance of the new machines is that they will be capable of stacking containers three high - signifying a move towards vertical expansion at all the container terminals that will be regarded as overdue but still welcome by cargo owners. Sapo is also expected to announce contracts for the supply of rubber tyred gantries and tractor trailer combinations plus other equipment for the Pier One Container Terminal now under construction in Durban. In 2001 Sapo placed an order for 60 two-high straddle carriers with Kalmar, followed by a further order for Cape Town. The new machines were assembled locally to enable an element of black empowerment within the contract, and the new contracts can be expected to be handled similarly. In recent weeks Sapo has taken delivery of the first of three IMPSA post-panamax shoreside gantry cranes which were assembled near the container terminal. Another two are due to be handed over before the end of this year.