The Port of Koper operator in Slovenia, Luka Koperd.d., has ordered seven electric RTG cranes, equipped with cable reels, and two RMG cranes from Konecranes. Luka Koper has been a customer of Konecranes for over 10 years. The port already operates Konecranes grab unloaders, RTGs, STS cranes and reach stackers. With the delivery of these cranes at the end of 2016, Koper’s fleet of Konecranes RTGs will expand to twenty.

Slovenia’s Port of Koper was established in 1957. It has grown steadily over the years, and now comprises 12 specialized terminals employing around 1,000 people. It has the leading container terminal in the Adriatic, handling 674,033 TEU in 2014. It is listed on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange.

Koper’s existing Konecranes RTG and STS cranes are very popular with the port’s crane operators — of whom MitjaČikovin is one. The Konecranes RTG is Mitja’s favorite crane to operate: “It has the best cameras and is the most fun to drive,” he explains.

“This order shows that our business relationship with Luka Koper is strong — it’s now ten years old and counting. Their decision to purchase our RMGs is a further vote of confidence in our technology and support. Koper is a very environmentally aware organization: they were shortlisted for the most environmentally friendly European port award 2014 from the European Sea Ports Organization. Koper is also a respected employer in Slovenia. Koper will continue to push the boundaries of eco-efficiency, and I look forward to assisting them,” says Antti Halonen, Sales Manager, Konecranes, Port Cranes.

The electric RTGs and RMGs on order will be equipped with Konecranes’ Active Load Control system, an integrated sway prevention and fine positioning system that provides maximum container handling productivity. The RTGs will also be equipped with the operator-assistance features Auto-steering, which keeps the crane on a pre-programmed, straight path, and Auto-positioning, which assists the operator by automatically stopping the crane in the correct position for the target container or slot.

“Konecranes has regularly proved to be much more than just a terminal equipment supplier for our company, Port of Koper. They are always proactive and listen to our needs, and help us to find the most suitable technologies for our environment and terminal characteristics. The recently ordered electric RTGs are just one example of a high-level partnership, where many technical things had to be considered together and even developed together. We really look forward to future development and common projects,” said Marko Babič, Director, Container Terminal.

Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment and machine tools of all makes. In 2014, Group sales totaled EUR 2,011 million. The Group has 11,800 employees at 600 locations in 48 countries. Konecranes is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki (symbol: KCR1V).