PSA International has said its terminal in Gdansk, DCT Gdansk, has taken delivery of three new rail mounted gantries (RMG) cranes as part of efforts to improve rail connectivity.
In a statement, PSA International said the RMGs, which arrived on 28 May, have replaced its older rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes and will “enhance and complement” the terminal’s railway siding operations.
With a length of 47 meters, a height of 20 meters and width of 28 meters, the rail-bound electric-powered RMG cranes are bigger and have lower emissions than the older diesel-powered RTG cranes.
The new cranes are also faster with a maximum travel speed of 150 meters per minute, can horizontally rotate a container a full 360 degrees and safely operate 24 hours a day in all weather conditions. DCT Gdansk will also look to equip the new RMG cranes with automatic container number reading systems.
DCT Gdansk CEO Cameron Thorpe said: “Investments in our rail to improve efficiency and capacity expansion are extremely important components of development at DCT Gdansk.
“We are very excited to announce that we will be shortly commencing the expansion of our rail siding, which will eventually more than double our rail handling capacity to beyond one million TEU.
“The first crucial step – converting the railhead to be operated by electrical RMG cranes – is completed. Next, the sidings will be extended to 750 meters in length and the number of tracks increased from four to seven.
“This project will take careful planning as we are completing it whilst keeping the railhead open for operations.”
With the planned extension of rail sidings, DCT Gdansk will eventually expand their sidings to a total of 5.25 kilometres. These collective improvements will allow DCT Gdansk to increase the efficiency, reliability, and safety of handling trains, and will, in turn, allow them to attain even higher standards of service for their customers.
DCT Gdansk’s investments in rail are timely and competitive. Despite the economic slowdown, 35% of all container gate traffic at the port of Gdansk is still moved by rail. During the first four months of 2020, DCT Gdansk saw an increase both in the volume of rail cargo handled as well as its share of rail volume.
The changes mentioned above will effectively double rail capacity and are set for completion towards the end of 2021.
