VICTORIA International Container Terminal has introduced four new Kalmar hybrid automatic straddle carriers (ACCs) to it Webb Dock, Melbourne facility.
This follows their successful commissioning and operational integration over the past several weeks at the terminal which, owner ICTSI points out, remains the only fully-automated facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Kalmar executives attended the handover ceremony on 26 May, including Sami Niiranen, president and chief executive officer, alongside VICT management and operations personnel.
The new ACCs form part of VICT’s expansion program aimed at increasing annual capacity to over 1.6 million TEU while supporting more efficient and sustainable terminal operations, the company says.
“These new ACCs strengthen our landside capabilities while supporting our long-term sustainability goals,” CEO Bruno Porchietto said.
“This investment reflects our commitment to expanding terminal capacity, improving efficiency and adopting technologies that lessen the environmental impact of our operations. We appreciate the successful partnership with Kalmar, which has enabled us to set a high standard of port operations in Australia.”
Karri Keskinen, Kalmar head of global sales, said: “This project builds on our long and successful history of cooperation with VICT. The new ACCs will help to increase productivity and support the terminal to meet their customers’ needs in a reliable way.”
The ACCs were designed to increase productivity by minimising loading times. VICT and Kalmar worked together on several custom upgrades targeting improved levels of efficiency.
Bruno Porchietto (fourth from left), VICT chief executive, and Sami Niiranen (fifth from left), Kalmar chief executive officer, with other VICT and Kalmar personnel during the official handover of the new automatic container carriers. Image: VICT/ICTSI
The hybrid ACCs feature twin-box lifting capability of up to 60 tonnes. They are equipped with lithium-ion battery systems that enable energy recovery during operations, which translate to a 40% increase in energy efficiency and up to a 50-tonne reduction in carbon emissions per unit annually, the companies claim.
Kalmar likewise highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation to support the evolving needs of modern container terminals. The container and industrial material handling pioneer has been supporting VICT since the start of terminal operations in 2017.
“The equipment rollout marks another milestone in VICT’s continuing efforts to enhance productivity and cater to global trade requirements,” the company says.
According to the VICT website, the terminal also has 17 diesel-powered ACCs.