Germany: Great Future for Ostuferhafen

The new rubber-tyred gantry crane (RTG) for the intermodal terminal at the Ostuferhafen has arrived in Kiel.

Where the rail/ship handling was done by Reach Stackers, the gantry crane will take over and load the rail wagons in future. The crane manufactured in Poland arrived in Kiel with the heavy duty vessel “Meri” in the afternoon of April 15. The crane was unloaded through self-driving via the ro-ro ramp at Berth No. 7 of Ostuferhafen.

Dr. Dirk Claus, Managing Director at PORT OF KIEL (SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co. KG): “We are investing into the hinterland rail connection. It is our aim to further increase the share of rail transport in the port’s modal split.” In the coming weeks, the RTG will be tested and receive its final finishing. It is intended to be put into service on Mai 31. Dirk Claus: “Through the new gantry crane’s high loading speed, the efficiency of the intermodal terminal in Ostuferhafen is strongly increased once again. The transport chain rail/ship is further strengthened in its competitive position.”

The new portal frame, a so-called rubber-tyred gantry crane (RTG) is 30 m wide and can span three rail tracks as well as the corresponding loading lanes. The lift height under spreader amounts to sound 12 m, the total height of the gantry crane adds up to approx. 21 m. The RTG can hoist trailers, containers, swap bodies and the like and comes with a lifting power of up to 45 tons.

Moving the crane alongside the rail tracks is supported by GPS. The device is an investment of 1.5 m Euro and has been subsidised with federal funds in line with the Directive for Subsidising Handling Facilities in Intermodal Transport. The improved efficiency of the intermodal terminal stands in direct relation to further investments at Ostuferhafen. Hence, a new gate and the Yard-IT have already been put into operation.

The extension of Berth No. 1 and the construction of a fourth warehouse have started. Next year, the expansion of the port area is also going to be completed. Dirk Claus added: “The growing ferry business with Russia and the Baltic States is concentrated in Ostuferhafen. Through our comprehensive investments we offer our customers best development opportunities in Kiel.”

[mappress]

Press Release, April 23, 2013