Electrification of the intermodal area at the Lázaro Cárdenas (LCT), Mexico’s largest semi-automated terminal, has been completed by Vahle.
The mobile power and data solutions company was awarded the first contract in 2011 and has since electrified 10 container blocks of the Mexican container terminal Lázaro Cárdenas Terminal Portuaria de Contenedores – located in North America on the pacific side of Mexico.
The total length of the project was approximately 500 metres with a single order value of around US$200,000.
The final phase of the terminal buildout, which will bring the total investment cost to US$900 million, is scheduled to happen between 2027 and 2030 to increase the terminal’s water depth to 18 metres and create a quay 1.5 kilometers long in a total area of 102 hectares.
Vahle has also supplied eight automatic systems to ZPMC, a manufacturer of cranes and large steel structures, for new eRTGs and converted three conventional RTGs to eRTGs last year as turn-key project.
LCT has so far electrified 26 container blocks with 5,512 metre conductor rails and ordered 16 new eRTG from ZPMC.
Vahle engineers have developed the E-RTG program, which combines electrification, data and positioning systems to offer ports a complete alternative to traditional diesel generators.
In a company statement, Vahle said: “All this projects and experiences result in the idea to electrify the intermodal area, over 500 metres, and to operate this also by eRTGs with the Vahle automatic system.
“The benefit is to keep the mobile yard cranes flexible.
“Depending on the daily-business up to four eRTGs are suitable to enter the intermodal area to handle container.”