Ten straddle carriers arrive at Durban Container Terminal Pier 2
Ten new diesel electric straddle carriers have arrived at the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2.
State-owned freight utility Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) says this brings the number of new single-lift straddle carriers delivered at the terminal in the last ten months to 33.
TPT advises that it will take the terminal’s technical team another month to complete hot and cold commissioning on all the machines, as they have arrived 50% commissioned to allow for flexibility during transit.
The commissioning process includes a variety of functions such as hydraulic, auxiliary and load testing, installation of fire suppression, radio and WiFi, as well as fitment of Navy Automated Information System vehicle-mounted terminals.
Durban Terminals managing executive Jabu Mdaki says the straddle carriers have advanced safety and convenience features that are designed to assist a driver with container handling and in-yard driving.
The equipment also features a user-friendly interface for function activation and blind spot detection to avoid collisions, as well as the ability to regulate and monitor driver behaviours.
“Perhaps the grandest of all features, which is also a new straddle carrier technology for our terminal, is the local crane monitoring system.
“It improves maintenance and productivity of the straddle carrier through providing mechanical and performance status, fault management, production and energy reports,” Mdaki notes.