Port of Tacoma Adds Kalmar Straddle Carriers

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has gained an order to supply five Kalmar Classic straddle carriers to the Port of Tacoma, Washington, U.S. The order was signed in August 2013 and the units are scheduled for delivery in the first quarter 2014.The Port of Tacoma has become one of the largest container ports in North America, handling 1.7 million containers in 2012.

The five new Kalmar machines will add to the port's current fleet of 27 straddle carriers, all of which are Kalmar Classic models, the world's most popular straddle carrier. Providing additional capacity at this rapidly expanding terminal, the port's chosen model of the Classic is capable of lifting single containers and stacking one-over-two with loads of up to 40 metric tons.

The powerful workhorse has the Kalmar Smoothlift hoist system which combines powerful performance with unrivalled reliability. The Kalmar Classic straddle carrier also features Kalmar's proven seventh-generation technology, consisting of an enhanced CAN-bus PLC diagnostics system, fly-by-wire controls and directly PLC controlled engines, plus a hydrodynamic drive system.

Kalmar has been supplying straddle carriers to the Port of Tacoma since 1986 and has built a very close working relationship with the port. This relationship has led to Kalmar and the port developing the world's first on-dock rail operation using only straddle carriers.