Hutchison Ports Thailand (HPT), the largest terminal operator in Thailand, took delivery of three quay cranes and eight rubber tyred gantry cranes the afternoon of Friday, January 12, 2018 by M.V. ZHEN HUA 14. The cranes are manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (ZPMC) in Shanghai.
The new equipment most notably features remote control technology, a first for container terminals in Thailand. The three remote control quay cranes (RC QC) have an outreach of 24 rows, a height above rail of 53 meters, and a lifting capacity of 61 MT. The remote control electric rubber tyred gantry cranes (RC eRTGC) are 1 over 6 type, and have a lifting capacity 40 MT. The RC eRTGCs are the first RTGCs of their type to be delivered to a Hutchison Ports container terminal globally – a significant milestone for Thailand and the Hutchison Ports group.
The investment in remote control technology that HPT is providing with this new terminal equipment will enable Terminal D to operate safely and more accurately, and in turn, allows the terminal to achieve even higher levels of vessel and yard productivity than is possible under a conventional operation. Container loading and unloading operations will be monitored by trained operators located in a remote control centre.
The new equipment is just one part of HPT’s overall strategy for expansion in Thailand. The equipment will be put to good use at the terminal operator’s Terminal D facility at Laem Chabang Port, which when completed will become an integral part of the government’s infrastructure plans for the Eastern Economic Corridor.
HPT already operates Terminals A2, A3, C1, and C2 at Laem Chabang Port, which are currently operating at close to capacity. The additional capacity at Terminal D will enable HPT to meet the anticipated growth in demand of the market going forward. The new terminal will bring HPT’s total capacity to in excess of 6 million TEUs, cementing their place as the largest terminal operator in Thailand.
On full completion of all phases of Terminal D, the facility will operate a total of 1,700 meters of berth and 17 quay cranes. It will be one of the largest remote control operated terminals in the world. This level of investment in infrastructure, equipment and technology reflects both the Hutchison Ports Group’s commitment to Thailand and Laem Chabang Port and its desire to transform Hutchison Ports Thailand into one of the Group’s flagship terminals.
Mr. Stephen Ashworth, Hutchison Ports Managing Director – for Thailand & South East Asia, said: “Terminal D will be capable of servicing the largest container vessels currently in operation, and this is where we believe we’re differentiating ourselves from other terminal operators. We’re really designing this as a premium terminal for our customers who are looking to deploy larger vessels to Laem Chabang Port in order to stay competitive and realize cost savings. However, while we’re designing the terminal with larger vessels in mind, it doesn’t mean that we won’t accommodate smaller feeder and intra-asia type vessels there. The terminal will be available to any of our customers. We’re flexible already with the terminal space we have at Laem Chabang, but this opens up and gives us even more flexibility. We’re hoping that the new Terminal D will lead to new opportunities for both ourselves and the port, and we’re looking to grow alongside Thailand.”
