UK – Poole Harbour has taken delivery of a custom-built multi-purpose forklift truck from Cooper SH that will allow the port to now handle some of the industry’s largest and heaviest containers.

Dorset-based Poole Harbour Commissioners has taken delivery of the bespoke 33-1200B forklift machine from Cooper’s to handle containers weighing up to 27 tonnes and forty-foot in length, which the company states makes Poole the only commercial port on the English South West coast able to offer this flexibility.

Paul Gillingham, Engineering Manager at Poole Harbour Commissioners, explained: “We had seen a significant increase in container weight over the past year due to our customers maximising the efficiency of container space. A lot of pressure was being put on our handling fleet and so we needed a new machine to ensure we maintain high levels of productivity.”

The new truck has also been fitted with a driver management tool so as to help reduce fuel consumption and maintenance requirements.

Gillingham added that: “We are delighted with the new forklift and the long-term approach that Cooper SH has taken to accommodate our needs. We work a very tough operation and the all-round forklift will help us manage the increased container weights safely and efficiently.”

The sale to Poole Harbour Commissioners follows on from Cooper’s announcement last month that they were investing £750,000 in their short-term hire handling equipment fleet.