Kalmar Takes on Rubber-Tyred Gantry Crane Electrification Project

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has gained a contract to convert four rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) to full electrification for Hutchison Ports UK (HPUK) at the Port of Felixstowe, UK. The project is the first of its kind in Western Europe. The contract was signed in September 2013, and installations will commence in the second quarter of 2014.

Effectively a pilot project, Kalmar’s specialist Crane Upgrades team will handle the complex engineering task which includes provision of the electrical services infrastructure for two RTG container blocks, each with a length of 217 metres. A full turnkey project, Kalmar will handle the RTG modifications, integration of an automatic drive-in collector unit, operator controls, conductor bars and the steel structure installation. Additionally, two 217-metre container blocks will be converted to house the electrical infrastructure, including substations required to connect the cranes to main power grid. The objective of the electrification is to reduce the fuel costs and lower the emissions of the RTG fleet.

Dave Patterson, market area director UK & Ireland at Kalmar, said: “We are very pleased that we complied with the requirements of HPUK’s competitive tender process and were able to collaborate with them on this exciting project. Kalmar has all the specialist engineering resources in house to manage the integration of this type of procedure for all crane brands. Our objective is to minimise risk and maximise performance which represents an excellent return on investment for our customers.”