Northport Receives Nine RTG Cranes

 KUALA LUMPUR: Northport (Malaysia) Bhd has received nine units of new rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes. 

The new terminal equipment is the first batch of a total of 23 units of diesel-powered RTGs and 11 units of electrified RTGs or eRTGs purchased by Northport from Mitsui E&S Machinery Co Ltd (Mitsui E&S). 

Northport chief executive officer Datuk Azman Shah Mohd Yusof said the port congestion and anticipation of a consistently high container and conventional cargo handling at Northport triggered the company’s move to reconfigure and restructure its terminal to improve the port capacity. 

“The terminal reconfiguration plan involves converting and developing a new container yard and acquiring new port equipment. 

“The move is necessary as we have been handling high volumes of container cargo in recent years, and we foresee that this upward trend will continue in the coming years,” Azman said in a statement. 

Meanwhile, Cranes & Systems Division of Mitsui E&S general manager Atsufumi Takahashi said the company is delighted to hand over these new RTGs to Northport. 

“It is also a proud moment for Mitsui E&S after completing the designing and manufacturing works of the terminal equipment and delivering the RTGs for the first time to Northport. 

“These new RTGs are equipped with modern features and new technologies, providing reliable and consistent service to meet the growing demands of today’s port business”, said Takahashi. 

Northport operates a fleet of 84 units of RTG cranes, consisting of 71 diesel-powered RTGs and 13 e-RTGs. 

In line with the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives, Northport will increase its environmentally-friendly port equipment by purchasing 11 units of new RTG cranes for its new container yard designated as the J Block. 

The new RTGs will be fully delivered by December 2023. Northport was Malaysia’s first port to use eRTGs in 2013. 

Apart from the environmentally friendly terminal equipment, Northport has also embarked on other initiatives towards empowering ESG commitment, especially in its operations. 

This includes the new NDSB2 warehouses, which are equipped with solar panels, natural air ventilation systems, translucent panels for the natural lighting system, industrialized building system (IBS) and rainwater harvesting system. 

Northport is also evaluating the use of LNG powered for its prime movers and utilising B10 biodiesel for its terminal equipment and vehicles as part of the company’s green initiatives. 

“The arrival of these new RTGs will further boost the efficiency and productivity of our container operations and fulfil our commitment to deliver high-quality service to our valued customers continuously. 

“The delivery of the new RTGs today is a step forward for Northport in becoming a safer, greener, smarter and better port,” Azman added.