APM Terminals Virginia has officially opened its new $450 million, 291-acre container terminal, with a revolutionary horizontal transport system employing cassettes and translifters designed and supplied by TTS Port Equipment AB.
Situated within 576 acres of land, the world-class maritime logistics center is the third-largest container terminal in the United States. It is capable of handling one million TEUs annually and has the potential to expand to handle a capacity of more than two million TEUs. The terminal will serve as an economic engine for new business in the region.
APM has taken delivery of the cassettes and translifters, which will be used to move containers between rail-mounted gantry crane stacks and the on-dock rail at the Portsmouth container terminal. Delivery has been supported by TTS’ local US operation, TTS Marine Inc. The use of cassettes (referred to by one customer as ‘the world’s best kept secret’) and translifters will replace the conventional use of tractors and trailer sets common in most US terminal operations. There is an option for TTS to deliver further equipment in 2008–9.
The new technology at the terminal is designed to keep workers and drivers safe, while expediting cargo movement through use of the newest, most advanced handling equipment.
“The highest standards in safety, security, technology and labour are now available in this facility,” said Eric Sisco, president of APM Terminals North America. “We are proud of the innovation and the environmental stewardship in this investment for the future of APM Terminals and the Hampton Roads region.”
The new equipment will allow increased productivity, as drivers no longer have to get out of the cab to decouple from loads. This means that fewer trucks are needed to handle the same amount of containers, causing less environmental damage, and saving time and money.
“This project demonstrates what can be achieved when private and public interests work together to achieve a new standard of excellence,” said Sisco. “The result is a win for the city, state, customers, and environment, as well as the Hampton Roads region.”
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Notes for Editors
About TTS
Norway’s TTS Marine ASA comprises five divisions – Dry Cargo Handling (Sweden); Port and Material Handling (Sweden); Marine Cranes (Norway); Drilling Equipment (Norway) and Deck Machinery (Germany). Part of the Port and Material Handling division, TTS Port Equipment AB, located in Gothenburg, is designated the port equipment ‘Centre of Excellence’.
Gothenburg, 17 September 2007
For more details, contact:
Lennart Svensson
Managing Director
TTS Port Equipment AB
Tel: +46 31 725 79 00
E-mail: info@tts-port.se
