Cargotec, the world’s leading business for cargo handling solutions, has received two significant Kalmar ship-to-shore (STS) crane orders for customers in Mexico and Guadeloupe. Delivery of the crane to Port Autonome de la Guadeloupe in Guadeloupe and the crane for Pinfra’s subsidiary, Infrastructura Portuaria Mexicana in Altamira, Mexico are scheduled for the last quarter 2010.

Cargotec was able gain the orders by offering a range of customised Kalmar solutions that enable faster ship turnaround times. The products benefit from a high technical specification, with many unique features that contribute to reliable performance.

Infrastructura Portuaria Mexicana is preparing to better serve its clients with the expected revival in the global economy by increasing its capacity by purchasing newer and more efficient equipment in Altamira terminal with the addition of the new Kalmar STS crane. The crane has an outreach of 49 meters, 19 meters backreach and 37 meters hoisting height. The crane features a Kalmar electrical system and the contract also includes a service agreement which has been tailored to meet the customer’s business needs.

Jorma Tirkkonen, Senior Vice President, Kalmar Container Crane Systems at Cargotec:

“We have recently expanded our presence in Mexico with the addition of a new sales and service center in 2008 and this has both helped us to increase our business profile and to build closer relationships with our customers. We are delighted to have gained this significant order for a Kalmar STS crane, particularly as our customer clearly values its reliable performance and our fast response service support.”

The new Kalmar STS crane for Port Autonome de la Guadeloupe’s Port de Jarry in Guadeloupe will extend crane capacity by providing sufficient hoisting height to load and unload the larger vessels that are entering the port. It has an outreach of 43 meters, 25 meters backreach and 33 meters hoisting height and will be equipped with a separating twin lift spreader. The crane is also equipped for tropic conditions and hurricanes of Caribic area, with wind speeds up to 288 km/h. It extends the fleet of Kalmar STS cranes at the port to three.

Jorma Tirkkonen sees the investment in manufacturing in Asia bringing tangible benefits to customer base. He said, “In February this year we started to strengthen our global presence in the STS cranes market by commencing production and engineering in Asia. This crane will be fully assembled in China under control of the Kalmar crane competence centre in Rotterdam, Netherlands.”

“Port Autonome de la Guadeloupe has had good experiences of growing their productivity and transshipment with Kalmar cranes, which combine high availability and low operational costs.  Our customer had a specific requirement for a crane with sufficient outreach and hoist height when placed on a quay with limited allowable wheel loads and often has to operate effective under tough weather conditions”, Mr Tirkkonen added.

About Kalmar

Kalmar is a global provider of container and heavy duty materials handling equipment, automation applications and related services. It is the world's leading supplier of cargo handling equipment to ports, terminals and intermodal facilities.

Kalmar is part of Cargotec. Cargotec improves the efficiency of cargo flows by offering handling systems and the related services for the loading and unloading of goods. Cargotec’s brands, Hiab, Kalmar and MacGREGOR, are global market leaders in their fields and their solutions are used on land and at sea – wherever cargo is on the move. Extensive services close to customers ensure the continuous usability of equipment.

Cargotec is the technology leader in its field, its R&D focusing on innovative solutions that take environmental considerations into account. Cargotec’s sales total EUR 3.4 billion and it employs approximately 11,000 people. Cargotec’s class B shares are quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.