APM Terminals Apapa in Nigeria is expected to receive five new rubber-tire gantry cranes out of a series of 10 in August as part of its third phase of a $135 million terminal upgrade.
The remaining five RTGs will be delivered in November, enabling the terminal to convert from the use of reach stackers to the “more efficient” RTG operation, APM Terminals said. The 10 RTGs are being manufactured by Konecranes in China and are equipped with a laser stack profiling system to reduce the risk of loaded containers being knocked off of stacks and an advanced system to reduce fuel consumption. They will replace 22 reach stackers now in service, although five will remain at the terminal for use with rail movements.
The conversion of the yard to RTGs is expected to increase the terminal’s container throughput to 1.2 million 20-foot-equivalent units per year, the terminal said.
“This is a very exciting development for the terminal and for the Nigerian port industry, as we will be setting a new standard in safety and sustainable terminal operations in Africa,” said Dallas Hampton, managing director of APM Terminals Apapa, in a written statement.
The container stack area at the terminal is also being increased by 74 acres.