en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) in South Africa has received four new hybrid straddle carriers as part of Transnet Port Terminals' (TPT) equipment replacement plan aimed at restoring its terminal operational capacity.

This 96 million rand investment was used to procure these diesel and electric-powered container handling machines. Straddle carriers are specialized cargo handling equipment used for lifting, moving, and stacking containers. Before these machines are handed over to the operations team, computers and software need to be installed in the cabs to provide operators with real-time instructions and cargo tracking. The installation work is scheduled for completion in July.

The Cape Town terminal is also completing operator conversion training to ensure employees can maximize the use of the new equipment. Earle Peters, Executive Manager of the terminal, stated that the diesel engine charges the onboard batteries, and once fully charged, the equipment switches to electric mode. This technology reduces fuel consumption, emissions, and noise levels while maintaining the operational performance required in a busy container terminal environment. Peters said the new equipment will support daily operations across the entire terminal while giving the operations team greater flexibility in managing container movements.

CTCT, which originally primarily operated with rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs), is now transitioning to a hybrid operation using both straddle carriers and RTGs. TPT stated that due to the injection of new equipment, CTCT's productivity and annual throughput have improved, but no specific details were provided. In the 12 months ending March 31, weather disruptions caused by wind, fog, and vessel delays amounted to 74.15 days.

Over the past three years, TPT has invested 9 billion rand in new cargo handling equipment across its 15 terminals nationwide. Capital investments for the current fiscal year include: new straddle carriers and empty container handlers at the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth container terminals; RTG cranes at Berth 1 of the Durban Container Terminal; reach stackers at multipurpose terminals; and trailers at the Richards Bay terminal.

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