Freight specialist expands fleet to meet KZN cargo handling demand

29th May 2015

  

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Freight management and logistics specialist Intermodal Connections, which was established a year ago, has expanded its fleet of container handling equipment to meet the growing demand in KwaZulu-Natal for swift, safe and reliable cargo handling.

The company’s original investment in a 45 t container handler has been boosted with the recent delivery of a mobile container handler, variable reach trucks, forklifts and a combination loaded container handler and forklift truck, says Intermodal Connections MD Jo-Ann Mellon.

“Reliable handling equipment plays a critical role in enabling Intermodal Connections to provide logistics solutions at international standards,” she says.

Mellon adds that, as many customers are exporters in highly competitive markets, they require absolute reliability in all aspects of the supply chain to ensure cargo reaches its destination safely, in the most efficient and cost effective manner.

The company’s fleet now includes a lightweight Mobicon mobile container handling system, designed to efficiently lift loads onto and off trucks in the warehouse and to safely carry containers around the site.

The Mobicon container handler, with a 33 t lift capacity, has increased operational efficiency at the plant, also reducing demurrage costs for trucks waiting to be loaded and unloaded, Mellon says.

Meanwhile, two new Meclift variable reach trucks are used for container stuffing and handling, increasing efficiency during container handling procedures. These compact reach trucks also ensure enhanced safety on site.

Unlike conventional forklift trucks, the robust Meclift machines, with a lift height of 6 m, are able to drive into containers or reach inside a container for easy loading and unloading of cargo and equipment.

“Special lifting attachments further enable safe handling of steel coils or rolls of wire up to 16 t. Double fork attachments permit four pallets or a similar load to be handled at the same time, making it possible to fully load a 20 ft container with only two lifts,” Mellon explains.

The company’s fleet also includes a Taylor TEFC combination loaded container handler and forklift truck, with a rated container capacity of 34 927 kg. This machine is able to efficiently cope with three-high stacking of loaded containers.

Intermodal Connections’ cargo handling services include the handling of unitised commodities and breakbulk cargoes, unpacking and repacking of containers, and cross docking.

The company’s facility – a 10 000 m², 23-m-high warehouse and 2 000 m² open yard area – includes a freight, stock and document management and customs facility and accommodates all types of cargo, including project cargo and out-of-gauge cargo.

Further, under-cover loading, off-loading and packing facilities enable work to continue in all weather conditions. The facilities include truck off-loading bays and a drive-through area that prevents truck congestion and facilitates easy manoeuvrability for drivers, Mellon says.

This facility, which encompasses four container loading docks, also has the capability to ground containers.

Edited by Leandi Kolver
Creamer Media Deputy Editor

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