Breakthrough for Konecranes RMG cranes in intermodal terminals - major order to the U.S.
BNSF Railway, the largest intermodal freight operator in the world, is the first American intermodal operator to order wide span, high-performance Rail Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes from Konecranes. Thirteen RMG container-handling cranes will be delivered to BNSF's Memphis and Kansas City intermodal terminals. The parties have agreed not to disclose the total value and other details of the order, which was made in June. BNSF, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is investing to expand the capacity of its railway network and intermodal facilities due to rapidly increasing container volumes. Intermodal transportation involves more than one mode of transportation (e.g. rail and truck). BNSF's current cranes will be replaced by new, much larger and more efficient ones. The recently ordered RMG cranes will take container-handling efficiency to a new level and set a benchmark for future intermodal terminal development in North America. “BNSF selected Konecranes for this order based on the total value they will deliver: global expertise, high quality equipment, and robust after-sales service,” says Fritz Draper, BNSF Vice President - Business Unit Operations. “BNSF's investment in these large cranes shows our commitment to continuously improving our operations for the ultimate benefit of our customers.” “The BNSF order marks an important breakthrough for Konecranes RMGs in the U.S. intermodal market. The RMG cranes share the proven and highly-appreciated load handling features of Konecranes Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes,” says Veikko Nieminen, Director, RMG cranes. The ordered RMG cranes are all-electric and will thus have a very low environmental impact. They are also equipped with Regenerative Network Braking units that enable energy, released during lowering the load or during braking, to be fed back to the local grid, instead of being wasted in braking resistors. This means remarkable savings in energy costs. The RMGs span 42.6 meters and can lift 40-ton containers one-over-five high. They will be used for the transfer of containers between stack, rail cars and road vehicles. Further information: Press: Veikko Nieminen, Director, RMG cranes Email: veikko.nieminen@konecranes.com or phone: +358 20 427 2641 Financial media and analysts: Paul Lönnfors, IR Manager E-mail: paul.lonnfors@konecranes.com or phone +358 20 427 2050 This press release, together with a downloadable picture, is available at our website www.konecranes.com The caption for the photo reads: Thirteen Konecranes RMG container-handling cranes will be delivered to BNSF's Memphis and Kansas City intermodal terminals. Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions and services for lifting equipment of every make. In 2006, Group sales totaled EUR 1483 million. The Group has 7,800 employees, at more than 370 locations in 41 countries. Konecranes is listed on the OMX Helsinki Stock Exchange (symbol: KCR1V).
