Maritime boosts East Midlands operation with two new Kalmar reach stackers

Maritime Transport Ltd., a leading provider of integrated road and rail solutions for UK businesses, has welcomed two new ECO reach stackers to its rail freight terminal at East Midlands Gateway (EMG). Both reach stackers are part of a five machine order with Kalmar, part of Cargotec, and bring the total number of reach stackers at EMG to six to service ever-growing volumes.

Maritime initially took delivery of its first two ECO reach stackers in December 2020, the first Kalmar models of their kind to enter service in the UK. Both machines were distributed to the company’s rail terminal in Wakefield and were an instant success, providing increased capability whilst significantly reducing Maritime’s environmental impact.

The ECO model utilises a much smaller engine than the reach stacker solutions with large, high-horsepower engines that are traditionally seen in rail intermodal applications, reducing noise by c.10Db. 

The ECO model also boasts a best-in-class driving experience, with an ergonomic seat for comfort, twist lock cameras to assist operators when locking onto containers both at height and at night, space heating to keep the cab warm when the engine is off by using stored heat generated by the engine when in use, engine start-stop function to further reduce idle, reduced steering radius to improve tyre wear, remote-operated heated wing mirrors, additional work lights for night operating, soft landing and a powered tilt spreader to reduce noise when locking onto containers, and continuous variable transmission for a remarkably smoother ride. The new machines are also connected to Kalmar’s fleet management system, Insight, providing real time feedback on driver and machine performance and fault diagnosis to minimalised downtime.

Commenting on the new reach stackers, Paul Heyhoe, Fleet Director at Maritime Transport, stated: ‘We are delighted to collaborate with Kalmar for a second time, following the positive results we saw with our first order of ECO machines last year. With the improved fuel economy, reduced environmental impact, improved driver experience, and increased productivity, the ECO was an obvious choice for EMG to offer support for increasing box volumes through the terminal, and ensuring we can continue to offer quick turnaround times for our customers.’

The machines are also compatible with HVO100 (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) fuel, capable of cutting CO2 emissions by as much as 90% without having any impact on performance or efficiency.

Dave Patterson, Vice President South & West Europe at Kalmar, said: ‘We are really pleased that Maritime has opted for the state-of-the-art ECO model again, to enhance its intensive operation at EMG and support its commitment to reducing emissions across the supply chain. Our ECO reach stackers provide customers across the globe with proven performance and safety benefits that Kalmar equipment is known for, and we look forward to seeing the many benefits these new models will bring to Maritime’s terminal operations.’

The open-access EMG, which serves local, national, and international businesses from SEGRO’s 700-acre Logistics Park in Castle Donington, has proven to be a commercial success since its official opening in March 2020, and now sees an average 10,000 containers currently move through the facility per month, supported by more than 100 vehicles operating 24/7.

Six intermodal services now run in and out the terminal daily, including three to the Port of Felixstowe, one to DP World London Gateway, and two services to the Ports of Southampton and Liverpool. Planning is underway to introduce additional services to EMG throughout 2022, connecting more of the UK. The remaining three ECO machines are due to arrive on Maritime’s fleet early in the new year, with two to be distributed to Wakefield and one to Maritime’s Trafford Park terminal.