MSC Home Terminal, Antwerp, a joint venture between Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Hesse-Noord Natie NV, has placed an order for 10 super post-panamax ship-to-shore cranes with Kalmar, parent company of Dutch container crane manufacturer Nelcon.
The high-speed, heavy-duty cranes will have an outreach of 56m, making them capable of handling ships over 20 containers wide. The first crane is scheduled to go into operation in November 2004, after which the remaining nine will be delivered at a rate of one every four weeks. Electrical components are supplied by Siemens.
Kalmar is able to meet such big orders because of a strategic alliance with Dutch steel manufacturer Hollandia.
