Felixstowe deploys new RTGs from ZPMC

The new cranes are capable of lifting one container over five and can straddle seven rows. Each has 16 wheels and can lift up to 40 tonnes. They will be deployed at the port’s Trinity Terminal, which at nearly 3km in length is one of Europe’s longest continuous quays. Their arrival brings the total of RTGs on Trinity Terminal to more than 100; since 2002, the port has purchased 41 RTGs from ZPMC.

Meanwhile Felixstowe’s two rail terminals handled a record 8,473 containers in the week ending September 9, 2006, passing its previous best of 7,983 recorded in October 2005. The port is expecting intermodal volumes to remain high in the run-up to Christmas and is currently holding discussions with four leading train operators to secure an additional daily rail service. This will be the 25th daily departure from the UK’s busiest container port.

As part of the Felixstowe South development plans, the port is planning to undertake capacity expansions on the branch line between Felixstowe and Ipswich, to be completed by 2009.