DCT Gdansk expands

DCT Gdansk has awarded Cargotec a contract to supply two Kalmar E-One2 RTG cranes as part of an expansion of the rapidly growing facility. With a span of seven rows plus a truck land and capable of stacking one-over-five high, the yard cranes are due to be delivered during the first quarter 2010.

They will be equipped with Kalmar Smartrail, an autosteering and container position verification system. Additional performance-enhancing technology such as an electrical anti-sway system, have also been requested by the operator.

Cargotec said the Kalmar E-One2 is the latest RTG model, meeting the latest safety and environmental demands whilst remaining productive and cost-effective.

On 4 January 2010, DCT Gdansk received the largest container vessel ever to call Poland when the 8200teu Maersk Taikung arrived from the Far East. From this month, post-panamax ships sailing on Maersk Line’s AE10 service from China will call DCT Gdansk every Monday bringing Polish, Russian and Finnish cargo to be discharged at DCT Gdansk.

The operator said this marks the beginning of a new era in container shipping linking directly Poland to Asia, and the development of DCT Gdansk as a hub in the Baltic Sea, as Russian and Finnish cargo will be transhipped to feeders from DCT Gdansk to their final destinations.

Boris Wenzel DCT Gdansk CEO, said: "We will still have ample capacity to handle additional services from other lines with the same high quality of service we have provided to-date. We already have ongoing talks with other carriers interested in making regular calls at DCT Gdansk.

"With the AE10 contract signed, we immediately ordered two new RTG cranes, which will be commissioned at the end of next month, and we will continue to evaluate options for additional equipment purchases."