Northport has purchased an additional 10 new straddle carries to strengthen its position as the top container port operator in the country.

The port, which handled an annual throughput of 2,124,128 TEUs in year 2000, up 21.5% over 1999 figures, is forecasted to register a similar growth pattern for the current year.

The delivery of the equipment is vital to enable the port to cope with the increase in container volumes, which have shown significant growth for the past two months as compared to the same period last year.

KCT Engineering Manager, Azman Wahidudin said, “ the Straddle carriers fit our daily operational requirements perfectly, due to its flexibility in handling containers fast and efficiently.”

Over the years these machine has proven to be an excellent option particularly in container movements within the port and for the delivery an receival of containers to hauliers.

“With the latest features incorporated in the new fleet, maintenance is reduced. Its new generation engine takes less power and saves fuel. The new innovative hoists system combines the benefit of the chain hoist and the ‘traditional’ winch rope makes it a simple and reliable hoist equipment. Continuous lubrication is not needed and its light construction provides stability to the machines” said Azman.

The cabin design too has been enhanced and place in front. This has add greater advantage for the driver as it provides a better visibility while at work in the container yard , “ he added.

Overall the new machines are more environmental and operator friendly thus assuring better productivity “ he commented.

Assembly of the new straddle carriers are in progress and the units are expected to be fully operational in April 2001.

The new machines will replace the five old units and the other five will serve as additional equipment to the current operating fleet of 77 units of straddle carriers.

Northport operates one of the largest fleet of straddle carriers in the region.

Over the first two months of this year, Northport has posted strong growth of 16% in container volume over the last year. It recorded 340,045 TEUs during January-February period against 293,011 TEUs during the same time last year.

Northport dominance in the local trade continued where it maintained a 73% of the Port Klang market share in this segment. During the period FCL volume handling grew by 3% from 150,613 TEUs in 2000 to 155,647 TEUs for the period in 2001 despite the growing concerns of a slowing United States and Japan’s economy.

Transhipment traffic too had a strong 41.4% rise, registering 133,518 TEUs in 2001 compared to 94,439 TEUs  in 2000.

Continuous investments in upgrading the infrastructure and facilities are the lying foundation in Northport  for future economic expansion where it set the scene for a long term vision and confidence of the growing trade and prosperity for containerised cargo movement, a development in which ports are playing a fundamental role.