In
an effort to boost the service levels and to meet increasing customer volume
demands, Hutchison Ports FCP, landed seven new three-high straddle carriers
this past week.
The
straddle carriers, manufactured by the Finland company, Kalmar, in Poland, were
shipped fully assembled directly from Poland to Freeport, Grand Bahama,
Bahamas.
According
the Charles Stewart, Engineering Manager at FCP, it took nine months to build
the machines and the units arrived set to operate.
“The
straddle carriers are built with the latest in IT technology, including the
latest in global positioning and safety for our drivers. The hybrid straddle
carriers will go into operation within the next two weeks,” noted Stewart.
He
noted that the units are all electric designed with Tier-4 engines to prevent
adding carbon to the environment.
Freeport
Container Port’s Chief Executive officer (CEO), Godfrey Smith said that
Hutchison has a global commitment to improving the environment wherever they
operate ports.
“We
are so proud that these world-class hybrid units will be operated by trained
and talented Bahamian drivers and maintained by an all Bahamian team of trained
and certified engineers and technicians,” Smith added.
The
addition of the seven new straddle carriers brings the fleet count to 65. The
over $5 million investment in the new units, further demonstrates Hutchison
Ports’ commitment to doing business on Grand Bahama Island and confidence in
the local and national economy.
Hutchison Ports is the port and related
services division of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (CK Hutchison). Hutchison
Ports is the world’s leading port investor, developer and operator with a
network of port operations in 51 ports spanning 26 countries throughout Asia,
the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. Over the years,
Hutchison Ports has expanded into other logistics and transportation-related
businesses, including cruise ship terminals, airport operations, distribution
centres, rail services and ship repair facilities.
In 2017, Hutchison Ports handled a combined
throughput of 84.7 million TEU.
The post Hutchison Ports FCP increases straddle fleet to meet demand appeared first on The Freeport News.
