Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has signed an order with Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), the leading European port and transport logistics group, for 11 diesel-electric straddle carriers, reports Cargotec in its press release. This order comes closely after the one of 2016 for nine machines, demonstrating the strength of HHLA’s relationship with Kalmar and the company’s commitment to Kalmar equipment.

Established in 1968, HHLA Container Terminal Burchardkai (CTB) is the largest and oldest container handling facility in the Port of Hamburg. The terminal has an annual capacity of over 3 mln TEU. CTB was the first terminal to introduce the straddle carrier technology as well as a unique automatic stacking crane (ASC) concept featuring three cranes per block. The new units will be used to transport containers from the port’s STS cranes to the ASCs.

Jens Hansen, Managing Director of Container Terminal Burchardkai, says: “We’re facing increasing pressure to reduce operating costs and cut noise and emissions, so it’s vital that our straddle carrier equipment helps us achieve these targets. With Kalmar, we know that we will get all this combined with excellent reliability and first-class support services.”

Tero Kokko, Senior Vice President, Automation and Projects at Kalmar, says: “HHLA has been a Kalmar customer for many years, and we look forward to further strengthening this prestigious relationship in the future and continuing to support HHLA in achieving its business goals.”

Cargotec, the parent company of Kalmar, employs over 11,000 people. In 2016 its sales totalled approximately EUR 3.5 billion.