Container shunting times depend on shunting machines and terminal configuration. For reducing the wagon loading/unloading times, elements such as the speed of machines, spreader trolleys, the lifting and lowering speed of the spreader etc. are very important.
Rail Mounted Gantry Cranes – RMG – are an excellent choice for intermodal terminals as they enable faster train operation which lowers operational costs. RMGs are best suited for uses where getting the container on board a train quickly is more important than the lifting speed. These equipments enable a low energy consumption and advanced power regeneration.
According to Kalmar, if the terminal has layout (long, narrow) and if container turn over grow over 100,000 TEU’s gantry cranes are more efficient than other types of equipments. “Of course, handling time per container depends on the layout of the terminal and the logistics chain. Rail mounted gantry cranes (RMG) are very expensive investments but very efficient in intermodal and port application for handling large volumes of goods (>1,000,000 TEU). RS and RTG have very efficient diesel engines but the RMGs have electric drive. Automation only goes for big terminals with more than 1,000,000 TEU’s per year. Big ports have to take measures in this direction to protect their leader position in the field”, declared Jurgen Wurzer, Managing Director, Kalmar HebeFahrzeuge Handelges.
Koncranes’ RMG and RTG cranes are equipped with the Active Load Control system (ALC). The Active Load Control (ALC) is an integrated sway prevention and horizontal fine positioning system. “This Koncranes patented system is time-saving because it allows the driver to move the spreader on the horizontal plane without moving the trolley or gantry. ALC allows optimum cycle time to be reached in all
operating conditions – whether your system is automated or driver-operated. As for a more efficient wagon loading/unloading activity, the ALC system reduces the container lifting and lowering times, counteracting all unwanted movements including those caused by wind or other external forces”, declared Erkki Salminen, Sales Manager Koncranes Port Cranes, Konecranes Finland Corporation.
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