Crane Systems
High Performance automatic RMGs in successful operation
at CTA
The fully automated container terminal in Altenwerder,
Hamburg has now been in operation since 2002. The present
capacity after the handing over of the 26th block at the end
of 2006 is more than 3 million TEUs per year and the terminal
serves a number of post-panamax ships, all expecting short
berthing times and first-rate service.
Equipped with ABB’s automation equipment, RMGs operate
quickly and accurately in all conditions and contribute to
overall low-cost operation.
Yard
The stacking yard of the terminal is operated with automated
rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs). The yard is divided into
26 blocks storing 30,000 TEUs up to five high. A pair of
automated RMGs, running on two separate rail tracks, serves
each block. The RMGs can pass each other and both can
work in parallel on both the waterside and landside. This
design also facilitates a high level of service when handling
imbalances between the waterside and landside, such as
when there is a high level of transshipment or of arriving
external trucks. On the waterside, AGVs are served in full-
automatic mode, while on the landside, external trucks and
internal chassis are served semi-automatically by remote
operator control due to safety requirements.
Operational experience
Operational experience with automatic RMGs has been
characterized as follows by the owner, HHLA.*
• Interaction between the two cranes on each block is
uncomplicated and their stacking accuracy is so great
that no problems have occurred in picking up containers
with one crane that were handled by the other, even
though they run on separate tracks.
• Remote control operation for truck loading and unloading
works perfectly in terms of handling speed, smoothness
and safety. It doesn’t take more than 30 seconds per
container – a time span seldom achieved when using
straddle carriers.
• The RMGs are stable in wind forces of 25 m/s due to the
rope tower employed.
• Due to the nature of the sub-soil, almost all the RMG rails
have been repositioned. The cranes cope very well and
automatic operation is performed at considerably higher
yard and rail tolerances than specified.
* HHLA/HPC in TOC 2003
Take advantage of ABB’s extensive experience in the design
and operation of automated cranes. Contact us for discussion
on how automation can be introduced into your container
terminal and the resulting benefits.
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For more information please contact:

ABB AB
Crane Systems
SE-721 59 Västerås, Sweden
Phone: +46 21 32 50 00
Fax: +46 21 34 02 90
e-mail: cranes.sales@se.abb.com

www.abb.com/cranes

Note:
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Crane Systems does not accept any responsibility whatsoever
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