Santos Brasil switches to RTGs

The new 16-wheel units will be delivered between September 2007 and January 2008, and will be equipped with Kalmar’s Smartrail autosteering and container position verification system. According to Kalmar, the 16-wheel model offers a reduction in ground load pressure over the traditional eight-wheel model, minimising wear and tear on the terminal surface.

Santos Brasil SA currently operates a total of ten RTGs at the terminal, and is gradually making the transition from reachstacker to RTG and road truck operations. It handled 1.1m teu in 2005, approximately 20% of Brazil’s entire container throughput. The Santos and Sao Paulo areas account for about 40% of the country’s GDP, and the operator expects its throughput to grow as it is the only terminal in the region with sufficient area, berths and access roads.