Latest Equipment Analysis
Automation proliferation
"The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated," was Mark Twain's response after hearing that his obituary had been published in the New York Journal. As with Mark Twain, rumours of the AutoStrad's demise are completely unfounded. Cleaning up a balance sheet has nothing to do with operating a very competitive terminal which utilises a great technology. This article, therefore, examines the AutoStrad the automated straddle carrier Ð and how it is positioned in the current or post global financial crisis landscape.Read More | 01 May 2010
The productivity paradigm
In these times of reduced capital expenditure, terminal operators need to make the most of their existing equipment. But if your portfolio of equipment includes mobile harbour cranes (MHCs), can they really compete with gantry cranes, for instance, and can anything be done to increase their productivity?Read More | 01 May 2010
Crane tech shrunk to fit
The straddle carrier sector produced an estimated 400-500 units in 2008 but crashed to less than half that level in 2009. With terminal infrastructure projects put on ice, large-scale orders for straddles have disappeared and operators of existing fleets are sweating those assets, rather than investing in new machines. At least one manufacturer is understood to have stopped producing straddles and the remaining ones must vie for business with the two dominant players, Cargotec-owned Kalmar and Terex-owned Noell. What an interesting time, then, for Liebherr Container Cranes to enter the straddle sector. But current market conditions make no difference, according to Pat OÕLeary, MD of the Killarney, Ireland-based firm. "It would be a concern if we were a weak company, but weÕre not and our philosophy is to build it and put it out there," he explains.Read More | 01 May 2010
Ramping up for recovery
While the economic slowdown has severely impacted orders for new cargo handling equipment, it has also provided respite for equipment manufacturers to review their businesses and plan for growth when the recovery comes. This is the case for Netherlands-based terminal tractor specialist Terberg Benschop, which grew its turnover from Û60m to Û160m between 2003 and 2008.Read More | 01 May 2010
