Machine Technology News

The cargo handling solutions provider Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has introduced a fully electric version of the Kalmar Empty Container Handler.According to a company press release, the launch represents another significant step on the company's journey towards offering an electric version of every product in its portfolio by 2021. The all-electric machine is the latest addition to Kalmar's Eco Range, which already includes the Kalmar Eco Reachstacker with a fuel-saving guarantee. In addition, Kalmar has already launched fully electric versions of its light and medium forklift trucks, Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors, shuttle and straddle carriers, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and yard cranes.

Maersk Shipping Line will add a virtual assistant — named Captain Peter — in the first half of 2019 to its remote container management (RCM) platform, which will feature a revamped design and new product features.Currently being tested by a group of select customers, technical improvements are being put in place to simplify the processes integrated into the Remote Container Management (RCM) platform. In the first half of 2019, Maersk will release the new platform with a revamped design and new product features which will be enhanced by a virtual assistant named Captain Peter.“Our goal is for the RCM product to look and feel like your favourite smartphone app. There is still a lot of paper work and difficult processes in global trade.

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has signed a contract to supply a fully electric Kalmar Ottawa T2e electric terminal tractor to Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) for a six-month demonstration period. The order was booked in Cargotec's 2018 third-quarter order intake with delivery scheduled for Q1 of 2019. A press release from the cargo handling solutions and services provider the Port of Long Beach, California, is the second-busiest container seaport in the U.S. and handles trade worth in excess of USD 180 billion from 175 shipping lines annually.More than 7.5 million container units passed through the port in 2017. LBCT already relies on a wide variety of Kalmar equipment to handle container traffic, including Kalmar rubber-tired gantry cranes and Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors.U.S.

Against a backdrop of rising piracy on the high seas, particularly from Somali-based attackers, marine equipment specialist Scanjet says its SCR 360 APR water cannon Marine Protection System (MPS) is in increasing demand. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) recently confirmed that 2010 was the worst year for pirate attacks on shipping on record. A total of 53 ships were hijacked, while owners reported 445 attacks on vessels in 2010, up 10% on 2009. The human cost was severe, with 1181 crew members taken hostage and eight killed. Scanjet Sales director Bjorn Lundgren says, “After its launch in 2009, the take-up of the Scanjet MPS was slow to begin with, but since the summer of 2010 demand has really exploded.

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products has announced a restructuring of its Florence, SC manufacturing operations. By the end of 2009, the manufacture of gantry cutting machines, arc equipment and plasma power supplies will be transitioned to other global factories. The company’s North American headquarters in Florence will remain the hub of the company’s plasma cutting technology business; ESAB will continue to research and develop plasma processes, produce plasma systems, and manufacture torches and consumables. In addition, the Florence facility will continue to manufacture and sell Steel Industry Products, gas apparatus equipment and consumables.