Two new Gottwald model HMK6407 mobile cranes have been introduced into Contecon Guayaquil docks in Ecuador by Manila's International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI).

The facility is a wholly owned subsidiary of ICTSI, which took over the container terminal and general cargo operations in August.

Formerly, the terminal, which handles 600,000 TEU a year, was totally dependent on ships' gear. The introduction of the two new mobile cranes has increased throughput and expedited turnarounds.

ICTSI praised Gottwald for having the crane in place 112 days from the order date. This includes delivery of the two units by vessel from Germany, where they were manufactured.

Each of the new mobiles has a heavy lift capacity under the hook of up to 100 tons at a radius of up to 24 metres and a container handling capacity of 41 tons under the spreader at a radius of up to 41 metres ideal for the panamax vessels which frequently call.

The company has also placed an order to acquire three postpanamax ship-to-shore gantries and eight one over six high, seven wide, 16-wheel rubber tyre gantries as part of a US$170 million investment to raise container and general cargo handling efficiency in Guayaquil to the best in the region.