The ICTSI subsidiary, Madagascar International Container Terminal Services Limited (MICTSL), has introduced into service a new, top-of-the-range, mobile crane, which has boosted quayside handling power at the company’s Toamasina container terminal.

The commissioning of the new Gottwald heavy duty mobile crane, model GHMK 6407, at the Toamasina container terminal, the only facility of its kind in Madagascar, represents a key step in MICTSL’s plans to upgrade both quayside container handling power and berth coverage.

Aside from the base new capacity offered by the top-of-the-range mobile, which joins two existing mobile units already in service in Toamasina, MICTSL has acquired a Bromma twin-lift spreader for use with it, which is able to lift two 20ft containers simultaneously with each of these weighing up to 25 tons. The twin lift facility, believed to be the first introduced into service in the region, is particularly designed to meet the challenge of the larger vessel sizes being introduced into service in Asian trades where there is a high concentration of import 20ft containers in one hatch. The increased height of the new mobile, compared to the existing units, is also seen as an advantage in this respect, delivering to the crane operator improved visibility via the higher positioned operator cabin.
The new mobile offers a maximum outreach of 51 metres, which is in excess of MICTSL’s current requirement for 41 metres with vessels possessing 13 rows of container across on deck.

The full potential of the upgraded handling arrangements along the quay of MICTSL’s two berth operation will be realised via the completion of strengthening works on its C2 quay, designed to enable it to accept higher load factors. This will then offer the necessary load capacity to spread the three cranes over two berths, although it is the terminal’s intention to continue utilising ships’ gear on berth C2 for loading/unloading operations when necessary.

The investment in the new mobile crane, in excess of US$ 4 million, represents the latest step in a rolling investment program undertaken by MICTSL following ICTSI’s securing the terminal via a government privatisation programme in 2005.

Total investment at the terminal following the quay rehabilitation, upgrade of the terminal area and an electrification project will be in the order of US$36 million. Extensive investments have already been made in new yard equipment including four new rubber tyred gantries, new reach stackers and 14 new Kalmar terminal tractors. There have also been major investments made in IT hardware and systems including the successful rollout of the Navis SPARCS system.

Commenting on the arrival of the new mobile Christian Gonzalez, MICTSL Chief Executive Officer, underlined: “What this new machine will help us achieve is to build on the consistency of operations that we have already achieved here, and to continue to reduce overall working times. This important

development area is one of a number that we have addressed since acquiring the terminal a relatively short time ago, all of which are progressively positively impacting the conduct of Madagascar’s maritime containerised trade.”

“Equally, it is important to point out in this context,” he continued, “that since our takeover many of the back-up systems that exert a strong influence over the conduct of maritime trade have also been positively addressed – for example, security has improved dramatically to the extent that Toamasina has been rated very highly by the US Government. Similarly, shipping lines are now the beneficiaries of more and more information via EDI. All of these developments represent important steps, and reflect the positive co-ordination of the planning initiatives between ourselves, the port authority, Customs and all involved parties”

Madagascar International Container Terminal Services Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Container Services, Inc. (ICTSI). ICTSI is one of the pioneers of container terminal management and operation on an international basis, having been involved in this activity since the early 1990s. ICTSI is a leading developer in the sector, specialising in container terminals in the 50,000TEU to 1,500,000TEU range, and maintaining an international management team with unrivalled expertise in this respect. Headquartered in Manila, The Philippines, the growing ICTSI container terminal portfolio can be viewed on www.ictsi.com