Huge container gantry cranes for the port of Hamburg

am 2020-02-13 21:19

KML gantry observation cabins support port logistics · Cooperation with Chinese manufacturer ZPMC

Cabin manufacturer KML based in Lahr in the Black Forest has secured a large order to equip the five new large container gantry cranes for the Port of Hamburg. From consulting of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) as well as development and production for the Chinese manufacturer ZPMC (Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery) up to final assembly in the Port of Hamburg, cabin manufacturer KML supplied top quality made in Germany. In November 2019, the first three container gantry cranes with KML cabins arrived from China on a special transport. Two more will follow in March 2020.

The largest container ships in the world are handled at Burchardkai at the port of Hamburg. End of last year, three new high-tech container gantry cranes, so-called large container gantry cranes, made by the Chinese manufacturer ZPMC arrived at Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA)'s Container Port. Two more will follow in March. They are all equipped with high-performance cabins made by KML Kabinen from in Lahr, so-called gantry obervation cabins.

"We are of course also the specialist partner for port logistics," says Stefan Lochmann, Managing Director of KML GmbH. "With our high-quality materials and perfect technological processing, we ensure that the lifetime of the cabins is significantly extended. This is what we understand by sustainability and quality. And this always means an economic added value for our customers", Stefan Lochmann continues.

HHLA in Hamburg and KML in Lahr have been cooperating for quite a long time. "We are preparing to plan further projects with both HHLA and the Chinese partner ZPMC," continues Managing Director Stefan Lochmann.

Due to the port environment, the cabins of the large container cranes were given a special maritime, high- quality paint finish. These are resistant to fading for a sustained period and withstand aggressive seawater. In March the remaining two cabins will reach the port of Hamburg and will be assembled.

Best all-round view for the Hamburg container port

The steel cabins, each of approx. five tons in weight, were developed and manufactured by KML according to the special requirements of the Chinese client and the Hamburg Port Logistics: Comfortable heating and air conditioning control, insulation glazing with blinds in between the glass, an excellent quality workmanship as well as a standard revolving door in the rear wall provide the best working conditions. The people working in the gantry crane observation cabin operate the ultra-modern container gantry cranes at the height of around 20 metres and monitor the unloading of the cargo or check that the containers match the unloading or loading lists. During the engineering process, it was therefore important, among other things, to design the workplace in the cabin in such a way that a very good all-round view is possible. For this reason, even the desk in the cabin was specially designed with a glass top.

High-tech logistics at its best takes place in the cab: The crane giants, each weighing 2,480 tonnes, can move two 40-foot containers or four 20-foot containers with a total of 110 tonnes in one single move. This is equivalent to the weight of 70 mid-range cars!

Germany - Shanghai and back

Due to the international cooperation, the three KML cabs have had a very long journey: They were produced in Lahr, delivered to China and adapted to the crane there. The cranes were then shipped to Hamburg. For this sea route to Germany, they were travelling on board of a special ship for eight weeks. After all, the dimensions are impressive: the booms of the new cranes have a length of almost 80 metres and reach over 26 rows of containers. KML's cabins were packed in a seaworthy wooden box for transport. Finally, in Hamburg, KML installed the air conditioning systems in the cabins. Then the gigantic gantry cranes were put into operation in the container port.

HHLA cooperation

With the five new large container gantry cranes, HHLA is creating additional capacity for handling particularly large container ships with a cargo volume of 23,000 standard containers and more. The investment in new container gantry cranes is part of HHLA's expansion programme to enlarge the container port. HHLA is planning to invest one billion euros by 2022, of which some 450 million euros are to be invested in container handling.

Cooperation ZMPC

ZPMC is the largest manufacturer of steel structures and container gantry cranes in the world. The market share for container gantry cranes is currently about 75 percent. The annual turnover is about one billion US dollars, 60 percent of which is generated in Europe. The products are currently used in all major German ports, including Hamburg. In addition, the Group has expanded its business activities in recent years to include offshore facilities, special shipbuilding and related services.

High-tech cabins from KML

KML is one of the technology leaders in the field of special cabins. For many years, our name has been synonymous with innovative system solutions for high-tech cabins in a wide range of applications. With the highest quality standards and a great willingness to innovate, we develop and manufacture cabins according to the individual specifications of our customers.
 
KML offers complete solutions "Made in Germany", because all cabins are developed and manufactured exclusively in the house of KML. KML is a partner in demand worldwide for ready-to-plug-in cabin systems.