DP World Southampton receives 6 straddle carriers

DP World Southampton today announced that it has taken delivery of six Kalmar straddle carriers worth over £3.6million.

The machines arrived just as work is finishing on the new deep sea container berth which is part of a £150m investment by Associated British Ports (ABP) to prepare Southampton for the next generation of ultra large container vessels.

The straddle carriers, manufactured in Gdynia (Poland), were transported fully assembled on board the ro-ro vessel MV Meri. The diesel electric machines have twin lift capability.

Chris Lewis, managing director at DP World Southampton, said: “With the new berth that ABP is building, which will open very soon, and this investment by DP World Southampton in our straddle carrier fleet, Southampton is determined to continue to build on its reputation as the most productive terminal in the UK.”

Now the new straddle carriers are on site, there will be some necessary performance testing to carry out as well as some additional installation work before the new machines can enter operational service.

At the same time, work has begun to deepen the main Southampton approach channel which links the port to the English Channel. This will allow the largest containerships to call at the port, including the 18,000 TEU vessels which started coming into service last year.

Associated British Ports (ABP) operates the port of Southampton and holds a 49% share in the container terminal, which is a joint venture with DP World (51%). ABP is investing £150 million to keep up with the swelling size of containerships, including about £70 million on a major dredge.

New straddle carriers at DP World Southampton

As DP World Southampton prepares to open a new berth, they receive a new £3.6m batch of 6 3-high twin lift straddle carriers . . .

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