Düsseldorf (Germany) –  Gottwald Port Technology GmbH, subsidiary of Demag Cranes AG, has started the year 2008 successfully with a sound order situation. During the year’s first three months as at the end of March 2008, the company sold 24 Mobile Harbour Cranes. Promising positive developments characterised business operations in new, growing and established markets. Orders came from both existing and new customers.

"Our company has, without doubt, got off to a very positive start into 2008,” said Dr. Mathias Dobner, CEO of Gottwald Port Technology. “The excellent order situation underscores, in particular, that the market for Mobile Harbour Cranes is continuing to grow and that our products are very well received by the market.”

Harbour Crane Market Review

Of the 24 cranes sold in the first quarter 2008, the majority was ordered by European customers. The most important country in terms of figures was Belgium with four units.

An order from Bitumi International Container Terminal (BICT) in the port of Batumi, Georgia, for two HMK 260 E cranes, marked an important step for Gottwald in its efforts to capture new markets. In addition, the Faroe Islands welcomed their first Gottwald crane. Eimskip, an established Gottwald customer that operates a number of Gottwald cranes in Iceland, ordered a G HMK 6407 Mobile Harbour Crane for its operations at the Port of Torshavn, Faroe Islands. As a result, Gottwald Mobile Harbour Cranes are now present in no fewer than 87 countries. And with an order from Drobrica Port Szczecin for an HMK 260 E Mobile Harbour Crane to be delivered to Stettin, Gottwald made a successful return to the Polish market.

Outside Europe, sales in Africa were particularly satisfactory since Gottwald sold a total of four Generation 5 G HMK 6407 Mobile Harbour Cranes for use at two DP World terminal facilities in Senegal and Mozambique. Africa has been part of recent Gottwald success story. In 2006, Gottwald sold 12 cranes and in 2007, 19 to this important region.

Harbour Crane Product Review

Of the 24 cranes sold in the first quarter 2008, 16 were Generation 5 cranes (67% of order intake), including the models 4, 6, 7 and 8 in their numerous versatile variants, and bringing the total number of Generation 5 Cranes commissioned or on order since their launch to 109.

Four-rope grab cranes for professional bulk handling, which clearly remains an increasingly important field of Gottwald’s strategic focus, also performed well with five units, accounting for 21% of orders.

Model 4 on Good Course

Gottwald reports a positive development for the Model 4, introduced to the market at the end of 2007 as an entry level model for the 100-tonne crane class. With the award of two new orders received in the first quarter of 2008, Gottwald has sold six Model 4 cranes since the market launch, including two cranes each to Belgium and India as well as one crane each to Spain and Iceland. “There is no doubt that we have met all our customers' demands with our Model 4, which is designed in a compact and functional manner and offers many benefits,” says Gottwald’s Sales Director Giuseppe Di Lisa. “As versatile as possible, no larger than necessary.”

Floating Cranes on a Wave of Success – Also on the Open Sea

Another major highlight in the first quarter 2008 was an order placed by PT Indo Straits in Indonesia, a new customer, for a G HPK 8200 B Floating Crane for open-sea operation. This will be the second Gottwald Floating Crane providing proof of its suitability for operation on the open sea. In 2007, Gottwald’s Floating Crane technology successfully advanced into new dimensions and areas of applications with a Model 8 G HPK 8200 B crane for open-sea transhipment of export coal from barges to ocean-going vessels about 35 km off the coast of the Indonesian Kalimantan region. With the award of the new contract, Gottwald has now sold 13 Floating Cranes.