Scotland’s container terminal, located within the Port of Grangemouth has increased capacity by 50% with the delivery of five new ‘straddle carriers’.
The move comes as part of multi-million-pound investment in terminal equipment at the port.
The Kalmar/Cargotec straddle carriers were constructed in Poland and shipped into the port aboard a specialist cargo ship.
The diesel-electric straddles are fuel efficient, low noise and feature a diesel-electric drive which fully complies with the latest exhaust emission regulations.
The new straddles are the first phase of “taller” straddles purchased by the port group in Scotland and will increase capacity of the container terminal by allowing containers to be stacked up to three high.
The straddles will be put into operation next month following an induction period and training for the straddle drivers.
Senior port manager Derek Knox said: “The arrival of our five new Kalmar/Cargotec straddle carriers is an important asset and will facilitate increased container volumes moving through the port in the coming months and years.
“This investment builds on a year of growth in container volumes in Grangemouth despite the current economic uncertainty.
“The additional capacity that will be created further secures our position as Scotland’s largest container terminal with a modern fleet of equipment and the supply of storage capacity to meet future demands.
“In Grangemouth we handle some of the country’s most valuable exports, such as fine foods and drinks, so flexibility and durability of our equipment is essential with further investment in our straddle carrier fleet planned over the next few years.”
More than £6 billion worth of good passes through Grangemouth annually, ranging from food and drink to steel plate.
jimillar@thecourier.co.uk