International Container Terminal Services Inc’s (ICTSI) container handling facility Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) in the Philippines has taken delivery of two Mitsui hybrid rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes, the first to arrive in Mindanao.
MCT is therefore expanding its RTG fleet to six units with the new deliveries, which are anticipated to improve yard productivity and overall terminal efficiency without impacting significantly the terminal’s carbon footprint.
This happens as the Mitsui hybrids are powered by a combination of a lithium-ion battery, according to a statement, as well as a smaller diesel engine, unlike conventional RTGs that run 100% on fossil fuel.
“The hybrid RTGs make our operations more efficient and at the same time more environment friendly because of the reduced emissions, allowing us to hit both our productivity and sustainability targets,” said Aurelio Garcia, MCT general manager.
“We’re also commissioning additional equipment to meet expanding capacity requirements,” added Garcia, as MCT will take delivery of a new side lifter within the year, according to ICTSI.
MCT has purchased a mobile harbour crane that is projected to arrive by the first half of 2023, to augment the container terminal’s two quay cranes and enable the simultaneous handling of two longer vessels.
These improvements aim to address the increase both in container volumes and in service demand, as the global economy slowly begins to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
