Mechanical Technology June 2015

⎪ Modern transport and vehicle solutions ⎪

Container handling expansion for Durban harbour

Freight management and logistics specialists – Intermodal Connections – which was established a year ago just 10 km from the Durban Port, has expanded its fleet of container handling equipment to meet growing demand in the region for swift, safe and reliable cargo handling.

I t’s not all doom and gloom at the Durban Harbour. In spite of port congestion, deteriorating road con- ditions, strike action and disruptive power outages, the expansion of the container handling capacity is good news for KwaZulu-Natal’s logistics sector. “Intermodal Connections’ original investment in a 45 T container handler has been boosted with the delivery of a mobile container handler, variable reach trucks, forklifts and a combination loaded container handler and forklift truck,” says Jo-Ann Mellon, managing direc- tor, Intermodal Connections. “Reliable handling equipment plays a critical role in enabling Intermodal Connections to honour our pledge to provide logistics solutions at international standards. “Many of our customers are export- ers and importers in highly competitive markets and require absolute reliability in every part of the supply chain to ensure cargo reaches its destination safely, in the most efficient and cost effective manner. “Cargo handling services include the handling of unitised commodities and break-bulk cargoes, unpacking and repacking of containers and cross dock- ing. A dependable freight, stock and document management completes our supply chain service, to and from any destination in the world.” The company’s carefully designed facility – a 10 000 m², 23 m high warehouse with 2 000 m² of open yard area – accommodates all types of cargo, including project cargo and out of gauge cargo.

Under-cover loading, off loading and packing facilities enable work to continue in all weather conditions. These ameni- ties include truck off-loading bays and a drive-through area that prevents truck congestion and facilitates easy manoeu- vrability for drivers. This facility, which encompasses four container loading docks, also has the capability to ground containers. New to the fleet is a lightweight Mobicon mobile container handling system, designed to efficiently lift loads onto and off trucks in the warehouse and to safely carry containers around the site. The Mobicon container handler, with a 33 t lift capacity, has increased operational efficiency at the plant, also reducing demurrage costs for trucks wait- ing to be loaded and unloaded. Two Meclift variable reach trucks are used for swift and safe container stuff- ing and handling, increasing efficiency during container handling procedures. These compact reach trucks also ensure enhanced safety on site. Unlike con- ventional forklift trucks, robust Meclift machines, with a lift height of 6.0 m, are able to drive into containers or reach inside a container for easy loading and unloading of cargo and equipment. Specialised lifting attachments en- able efficient and safe handling of paper reels, steel coils, sheets and rebar, as well as rolls of wire with mass of up to 15 000 kg. The company’s fleet also includes a Taylor TEC combination loaded container handler and forklift truck, with a rated

Jo-Ann Mellon, Intermodal Connections’ managing director, with a Meclift variable reach truck offloading 26 bundles of aluminium profiles.

The Mobicon mobile container handler, with a 33 T lift capacity, has increased operational efficiency at the plant and reduced demurrage costs for trucks waiting to be loaded and unloaded.

container capacity of 34 927 kg. This machine is able to efficiently cope with three-high stacking of loaded containers. Also in the plant are four robust forklift trucks, with capacities up to 4.0 t. Intermodal Connections, a level 4 con- tributor to broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE), efficiently handles all aspects of logistics and ship- ments to ensure optimum efficiency of domestic and international trade. q

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