All 15 Additional Straddle Carriers are now Operational

During 2007, Southampton Container Terminals Ltd (SCT) invested over £7.5 million in the purchase of 15 new straddle carriers from manufacturers Noell and Kalmar.

The first nine, 4 high Noell straddle carriers and two of the five Kalmar straddle carriers were operational during September.  The final three Kalmar straddle carriers became operational during this month.

Talking about importance of the investment, John Maybanks, Head of Engineering, SCT, said:

“At SCT we now have over 100 straddle carriers so it is extremely important for us to invest in new and improved maintenance philosophies, improve our knowledge of the new technologies available and improve our methods of working.  In a modern terminal it is essential to provide the Operations Department with reliable equipment.  In order for Engineering to achieve this the Maximo maintenance management system is being implemented and a greater effort is being made to increase our planned maintenance which will help manage our fleet more efficiently to provide a reliable service and ultimately meet our customers’ requirements.

The straddle carriers arrive in large sections and are constructed, on site at the terminal, by a dedicated team of engineers from the straddle carrier manufacturer and with the able assistance of SCT Engineering staff.