The Spanish port operators, Noatum Terminals and Algeposa, have completed the acquisition of four automotive cranes from the German manufacturer Liebherr for their terminals in Castellon, Sagunto and Tarragona.
Noatum, the mother company of Noatum Terminals, said that this equipment, capable of handling all types of cargo, is equipped with the latest technology and will bring major operational advantages to the ports.
“They also introduce improvements that minimise the environmental impact and reduce energy consumption,” noted Noatum.
The purchase of the high tonnage capacity mobile cranes was finalised after the approval of the board of directors of Noatum and its compatriot partner, Algeposa.
Two of these cranes will be destined for Noatum Terminal Sagunto. These are two units of the LHM420 Pactronic model, and have a maximum lifting capacity of 124 tonnes, which will enable an improvement in productivity of up to 38 containers per hour. This model is also capable of handling bulk goods and all types of general merchandise and project cargo, according to a statement.
A third model LHM420 crane will be destined for Noatum Terminal Tarragona, a facility specialising in port operations for agri-foodstuffs bulk cargo, one of the main areas of trade at the Tarragona facility. Noatum noted that the crane will be located on the Castilla quay to improve the productivity of the automated installation that the company manages there.
The fourth crane will be operated at Noatum Terminal Castellon, a multipurpose terminal that offers comprehensive services for containerised cargo, other unitised and project cargo, and solid and liquid bulk.
“The machine has been acquired to optimise operational flows and the ongoing increase in the volumes transited by Noatum’s concessions on the Dársena Norte docks,” said Noatum.
The new model LHM550 unit has a lifting capacity of 144 tonnes and an outreach of 54 metres, while it is optimised for bulk handling on Capesize class vessels, in addition to container handling and New-Panamax class vessels, according to an announcement.
The first crane arrived in port on 5 January on board the vessel Hoogvliet, and will soon be operational at the Sagunto terminal, while the other three units will arrive in the next months.
“The increase in the capacity of the terminals benefiting from this important investment and commitment is the result of Noatum and Algeposa’s commitment to offering their customer base state-of-the-art equipment, and thereby improving operational performance and achieving increased energy efficiency,” commented Noatum in a statement.
This investment in equipment for the terminals will increase their current operational capacity, as there are already four mobile cranes and six electric cranes at Sagunto, four mobile cranes and two container cranes at Castellon, and two mobile cranes at Tarragona.
