Through distributor QOPH Engineering Enterprise, Konecranes has delivered 13 reach stackers to Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise (ESLSE).
This order has put 10 reach stackers at Modjo Port & Terminal, Ethiopia’s main dry port which handles most of the country’s trade, with the smaller inland terminals of Kaliti, Mekelle and Kombolcha to get one new reach stacker each. With a capacity of 45 tons, the stackers will be used to handle 20-foot and 40-foot containers at the dry ports.
Every reach stacker in the order features a smart MD4 display and multifunctional joystick, along with an ergonomic design for the comfort of the driver. The boom is easy to maintain, and the spreader uses a cylinder to prevent chain breakage. Ease of use combined with high lifting capacity means these reach stackers are sure to improve overall efficiency and productivity.
Delivery and commissioning of the first 11 lift trucks took place on 21 January 2019. The twelfth machine was commissioned on 12 February, and the last reach stacker in the order was ready on 14 February.
Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, and ESLSE is currently building more inland terminals to support this expansion. Konecranes won a public tender to supply this reach stacker order because they fulfilled the ESLSE technical and commercial requirements. In addition, ESLSE had 23 Konecranes forklift trucks of 10-28t capacity delivered in 2014, all of which are still in good condition and being used daily at their facilities.
Roba Megerssa, CEO of ESLSE, says: “We’re very pleased to update our lift truck fleet with the latest generation of Konecranes reach stackers, and are confident that these new equipment will help us improve our operations as we support the growth of the Ethiopian economy.”
Winfried Lux, Regional Manager for India, Middle East and Africa at Konecranes Lift Trucks, says: “Konecranes thanks ESLSE for their trust in our equipment and our company. We’re glad to be involved in the development of the Ethiopian shipping hubs and we’re looking forward to continuing our fruitful cooperation long into the future.”
ABOUT ESLSE
Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Service Enterprise is a government transportation and logistics company formed in 2011 by the merging of four different public companies: Ethiopian Shipping Line, Maritime and Transit Services Enterprise, Ethiopian Dry Ports Enterprise, and Comet Transport S.C. Its main objective is to provide an efficient and effective logistics service to support the rapidly growing economy of Ethiopia.
The Enterprise is Ethiopia’s designated multimodal operator, and owns 11 ships - 2 are tanker vessels and 9 are dry cargo vessels. It provides access to sea transport through neighboring Djibouti. Within Ethiopia, it owns 7 dry ports with a total handling capacity of about 23,700 TEUs and annual container throughput of more than 650,000 TEU. Their 440-truck fleet carries freight all across the country. With its 28 reach stackers and 80 forklifts, it handles cargo stuffing, loading, unloading, and de-stuffing in the dry ports.
