Kalmar straddles boost Tacoma

The new 40-tonne one-over-two machines will provide additional capacity at the rapidly expanding terminal, which last year (2012) handled 1.7m teu.

They will incorporate the Kalmar ‘Smoothlift’ hoist system along with the company’s 7th 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 supplied its first straddle to the Port of Tacoma in 1986, an association that has led to the two organisations developing the world’s first on-dock rail operation using only straddle carriers.