New Trailer Truck with MTS trailer attached.THE CAPACITY at the Kingston Container Terminal was boosted recently with the arrival of new state-of the-art equipment for the movement of containers on the port.
Valued at US$8 million, the equipment include 12 straddle carriers, four Kalmar trailer trucks and 24-multi-trailer system (MTS). This forms part of a US$100 million development project for the South Terminal (Gordon Cay).
Senior Vice President of Operations and Development at the Port Authority of Jamaica, Ian Blair, said the acquisition of the new equipment is part of the Government's ongoing thrust to significantly boost capacity and modernise the equipment on the Port of Kingston, bringing it on par with international standards.
He said in recent times, major developments have taken place at the South Terminal of the Port, and the first phase of the project which also involves some 318 square metres of berth, is scheduled for completion in August, while the remaining 224 square metres is expected to end in December.
The 12 new straddle carriers are equipped with the latest technology including the capacity for differential global positioning system (DGPS), a technology that will help to minimise the incidence of misplaced container and improve yard operations.
Presently, the straddle carriers from Kalmar Inc., are being assembled with a projected completion date of May 25, 2001.
The four-wheel-drive Kalmar trailer trucks are designed to pull up to four multi-system trailers (MTS), which are also referred to as 'trailer trains'.
A special feature of the MTS trailers is that they are able to transport eight 20-foot containers or an equivalent mix of 20 and 40-foot containers simultaneously. These are more economical and efficient than the single trailer systems currently being used. The trailer trains are to be used to shuttle containers between the North Terminal and South Terminal.
The PAJ Vice President said four super post panamax grantry cranes are also slated to arrive from China in August, increasing the present complement of gantry cranes to 14. These should be operational by September, 2001.
