Santos Brazil becomes Kalmar's biggest customer

South American container terminal operatorer Santos Brasil has become the biggest customer of Cargotec Kalmar E-One rubber-tyred gantries (RTG), with its latest order of 12 units.

The order brings the operator's total to 41 E-Ones worldwide. The 12 new units will be delivered to the customer's recently inaugurated Tecon Santos Terminal 4 expansion. Delivery will commence in the fourth quarter of 2011.

The all-electric, 16-wheel RTGs will be 7+1 wide and 1-over-6 high and come equipped with Kalmar Smartrail, an autosteering and container position verification system. Cargotec's 16-wheel configuration is designed to complement the lightweight machines to put less stress on terminal surfaces compared to conventional 8-wheel units.

They will feature 55 tonne capacity twin-lift Bromma spreaders with load sensing capability via the twistlocks.

The Port of Santos has been a Cargotec customer since 2000 and has 29 Kalmar RTGs, the operator has empty container handlers, reachstackers and heavy-duty forklifts from Cargotec.

"In terms of maintenance, it is a significant advantage to have a standardised set of equipment. If the equipment is in need of maintenance all we need to do is cross the road from Tecon Santos to Cargotec's service facilities, where we benefit from quick and personalised after-sales service,"says Caio Morel, Santos Brasil operations director.