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Generation 5 Gottwald G HMK 7408 Mobile Harbour Crane (centre) handling containers at Mardas Marmara Deniz Isletmeciligi A.S., Istanbul area, Turkey. |
Düsseldorf, 22 June 2007 –
Gottwald Port Technology’s Generation 5 Mobile Harbour Cranes proves to be extremely popular in
Turkey. With the delivery of eight units to four different terminals, the world market leader in
Mobile Harbour Cranes continues to expand its presence in Turkish ports.
The orders include two G HMK 7408 Mobile Harbour Cranes each for Gottwald’s long-standing
customer Mardas Marmara Deniz Isletmeciligi A.S. as well as YILPORT Container Terminal, a new
customer to Gottwald. Both are located in the greater Istanbul area. One G HMK 7408 and two G HMK
6407 cranes have been ordered by new customer Rodaport located in the Gemlik Bay on the southern
Marmara Sea, where Gottwald already has a strong presence. Gemport operates a fleet of four
Gottwald cranes, including one HMK 170 E, one HMK 260 E, one
HMK 280 E and one HMK 300 E. And Borusan, also in the Gemlik Bay, operates two HMK 260 E
cranes. With the award of the Rodaport contract, Gottwald Mobile Harbour Cranes now number nine in
the Gemlik region. Antalya, which has been supplied with an HMK 300 E in the past, has ordered one
G HMK 6407 crane. While the cranes for Mardas and Yilport have already been put into service, the
other four cranes are currently being shipped or will be shipped soon.
In the first quarter of 2006, prior to the Market introduction of the Generation 5, container terminal operator Mardas Marmara Deniz Isletmeciligi A.S. in Istanbul placed an order for an HMK 300 E to complement its existing HMK 300 E fleet. This acquisition was followed by an order for two Generation 5 G HMK 7408 Mobile Harbour Cranes in August 2006.
“Our positive experience with the proven performance of Gottwald’s diesel-electric Generation 4 Cranes coupled with the company's excellent service and support have led us to opt once again for Gottwald and to order the two G HMK 7408 cranes for handling the increasing number of post-Panamax vessels with up to 17 rows calling at the port”, says Galip Kendigelen, General Manager of Mardas. “ And worthy of special mention is Gottwald’s unbeatable ability to fulfil specific needs.” To provide a higher boom pivot point and cab viewing position when handling cargo on large container vessels, the HMK 300 E ordered in 2006 was equipped with a 5 m tower extension. Moreover, the HMK 300 E already delivered in 2004 was retrofitted accordingly. “We were very pleased as to how smoothly Gottwald mastered this challenge”, says Kendigelen. “And now with the two G HMK 7408 cranes with even higher boom pivot point and operator viewing level, higher handling speeds and higher classification plus numerous innovative features including a remote control system, we are equipped with the best option currently available.”
While older container ships used to stack containers four high on deck now they are going up to six containers high. For this reason the new Generation 5 Mobile Harbour Cranes have higher towers, a raised boom pivot point and higher-mounted tower cabs, meaning the crane can come right up alongside the ship and increasing the operator’s visibility. The G HMK 7408 features a boom pivot point of 23.2 m, with the crane cab offering the operator an viewing level of 26.5 m. The cranes can work at a radius between 11 m - 51 m, the maximum lifting capacity is 100 tonnes. They can achieve lifting heights of 12 m below quay level or 40 m above. Maximum hoisting speed is 90 m/min. The cranes are equipped with a two-rope hoist and the on-board diesel-generator has an output of 895 kW. Like all the new Generation 5 models, the 8-axle chassis of the G HMK 7408 also has axles with individually controlled wheels, enabling excellent manoeuvrability.
The two G HMK 7408 cranes were handed over to Mardas in December 2006 and commenting on the first months of commercial operation, Kendigelen says ”In fact, the operation has met all our expectations, specifically in the area of handling container ships up to post-Panamax size. The new cranes allow the port to improve vessel turnaround and increase the capacity from 200,000 TEUs to some 360,000 TEUs a year.”
Including the three new cranes, Mardas’ current fleet comprises seven Gottwald cranes. Mardas and Gottwald are connected through a long-lasting relationship, which started in 1997. The first crane for Mardas, an HMK 260 E, has since successfully achieved an impressive equivalent of ten years reliable operation with more than 40,000 operating hours.
Two G HMK 7408's for Cargo and Container Handling at YILPORT Container Terminal
Two G HMK 7408 cranes were also the right choice for YILPORT Container Terminal, which is located about 45 km east of Istanbul, on the northern coast of Marmara Sea. Yilport, a subsidiary of the Yildirim Group, is a major port expansion project joining Sedefport and the Alemdar Port at Diliskelesi, Turkey. As container traffic in the Marmara Sea continues to grow, Yilport intends to become a major container port for the region. The project has been planned to be realised in three phases by the end of 2012. Once finished, the port will have a handling capacity of two million TEUs p.a. As multipurpose full service port Yilport will also handle bulk, general and liquid cargoes.
Within this context Yilport ordered two G HMK 7408 units from Gottwald in November 2006. “The two Generation 5 Mobile Harbour Cranes from Gottwald combine performance, flexibility and versatility,” says Robert Yüksel Yildirim, President of the Yildirim Group. “And that’s exactly what we need with view to anticipated future growth. The cranes may be deployed anywhere in the port. They can work on containers, bulk materials, general or project cargoes.” For the time being, the two Gottwald cranes are mainly used to handle steel coils; general cargo and containers. However, in future, as the construction of the container terminal progresses the percentage of containers will increase. “Gottwald has a reputation for supplying innovative equipment. This factor was important to us, especially when choosing the Generation 5 Mobile Harbour Cranes to handle the containers, bulk and general cargoes at Yilport. They will allow us to cut costs in our current operations and to increase the efficiency in our stevedoring services to our customers and liners. Thanks to the new technology, the Generation 5 cranes allow for easier handling, longer service intervals and faster troubleshooting,“ Yildirim says. “Our relationship with Gottwald’s representative in Turkey also played a significant role in our choice for these two new cranes. Bülent Sandal and his team have been reliable service agents, and I am very confident that they will provide superior technical support. Our cooperation will continue with Gottwald for the next phases of Yilport construction.”
Short delivery and assembly times, as part of the overall service and support, are other key factors that Robert Yüksel Yildirim is very pleased with. “Most recently we have signed a contract with the Mediterranean Shipping Company, S.A. (MSC). And when we placed the order with Gottwald at the beginning of November 2006, it was agreed to have the first crane ready for operation upon arrival of the first vessel from MSC. The crane was handed over on 26 January 2007, well in time, four days prior to the arrival of the first MSC vessel.” The second G HMK 7408 from Gottwald has since been put into service.
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