Konecranes has in July received two major orders from Finnish container terminal operator Steveco Oy. The orders comprise one ship-to-shore (STS) crane, and three straddle carriers, with a long-term service agreement. The equipment will be delivered to Steveco's container terminals in Vuosaari and Mussalo, Finland, during autumn 2008.

Steveco is expanding its operations and will start container traffic operation in the new Vuosaari port in Helsinki. The Konecranes Panamax STS crane ordered is a BoxHunter crane that enables fast and precise positioning of containers and ensures efficient operations. It has a lifting capacity of 50 tonnes and an outreach of 38 meters. The crane design allows containers to be stored under the crane, which accelerates the loading and unloading of ships.

The order for three straddle carriers and a service agreement are for Steveco's container terminal at Mussalo in Kotka. Konecranes has delivered cranes and service to this terminal since it was opened. The straddle carriers represent a new generation of equipment, and are based on a technology which Konecranes acquired in January 2007. The straddle carriers have a lifting capacity of 60 tonnes and can stack containers 1 over 2 high. The straddle carriers will be used for moving and stacking containers in the port yard.

"These orders are strategically important for us," says Jarmo Juntunen, Director, Ports at Konecranes. "The equipment represents the latest technology on the market and will enable Steveco to operate their container terminals efficiently. Our cooperation with Steveco goes back a long way and we hope it will continue as successfully as it has until now."

On 1 August, Konecranes announced the acquisition of the container handling software specialist Savcor One Oy. Savcor's automation technology improves the efficiency and productivity of terminal operators by monitoring and measuring equipment and activities. The equipment in Steveco's Mussalo terminal is equipped with Savcor's container handling software.