New haulers boost efficiency at container terminal

PORT terminals are about to get a lot more efficient after new haulers became operational last week.

The state-of-the art equipment valued at R23.4 million is expected to make a significant impact on improving operational efficiencies at the busy terminal.

“The benefits of having these new haulers at Pier one will improve the availability and ultimately equipment reliability at our terminal. The increased reliability will correlate to fewer breakdowns resulting in minimal interruptions to operations. Furthermore, the terminal will be able to operate six gangs without equipment shortages. We are committed to delivering better services and achieving better turnaround times at Pier one and the arrival of these new haulers is a substantial investment by Transnet Port Terminals which clearly demonstrates that,” said Brenda Magqwaka, Transnet Port Terminals’ general manager: KZN Operations Containers.

Driver training took place recently, which included endurance testing on the haulers, allowing them to be handed over to operations earlier than originally anticipated. The newly designed seat of these haulers has a host of features, adjustments and lumbar support to improve the ergonomics of the machine. Furthermore, what makes these haulers different from the old ones is that the seat has a built in sensor that cuts off the engine when the operator has left the seat for more than five minutes.

As these new Terberg Haulers are part of a replacement project, they are to replace the current Mafi Haulers, thus the terminal will decommission and phase out 14 old Mafi Haulers respectively.

The hauler replacement project is planned to be completed in 2019, with a further 30 haulers planned to be purchased in 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 financial year. The terminal is also embarking on the phased refurbishment of 18 Rubber Tyre Gantry cranes at DCT Pier one which is due to start in January 2017.

TPT has committed R385 million to the upgrading and improvement of equipment and facilities for Durban Container Terminals’ Pier one.