DP World Southampton has strengthened its straddle carrier fleet by taking delivery of 10 brand new Kalmar machines worth £6 million.

The straddle carriers arrived fully assembled onboard the Eemsgracht direct from the assembly plant in Gdynia, Poland.

The new straddle carriers are part of a replacement and investment programme that DP World Southampton is undertaking to improve its operational fleet and landside capabilities.

Last year, the company bought six new three high diesel electric machines with twin lift capability and are in the process of ordering a further 9 machines bringing the total number of new machines to 25 in three years.

The 10 new straddle carriers are also three high diesel electric machines with twin lift capability, which will provide the terminal with the advantage of having more machines that are able to undertake twin discharge from beneath the terminal’s cranes.

Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, said:

“Over 30 percent of our fleet will be less than five years old.  We are committed to investing in our infrastructure and operational capabilities to ensure that Southampton can continue to meet the needs of our customers now and in the future.

Following the opening of DP World Southampton’s new deep-water berth last year, which included the commissioning of four brand new super post-panamax cranes, Chris Lewis added:

“This investment in our landside and marine capabilities means we are in a great position to continue to build on our reputation as the most productive terminal in the UK.”

Now the new straddle carriers are on site, there will be some necessary performance testing to carry out as well as some additional installation work before the new machines can enter operational service.

Source: multimodal.org.uk/news