Large order from Turkey – Conductix-Wampfler will electrify RTG container cranes

Weil am Rhein, December, 2010. Conductix-Wampfler AG, a part of the Conductix-Wampfler Group – global leading manufacturer of systems for energy and data transmission to moving machinery – has received another large order for the conversion of diesel-powered Rubber Tyred Gantry cranes (RTGs) to electrical operation. The "E-RTG" technology developed in Weil am Rhein will be used in 18 cranes in Yilport, a port at Gebze/Dilovasi nearly Istanbul, one of the largest and fastest-growing container ports in Turkey. Principal Yilport Container Terminal and Port Operators Inc. is part of the Yildirim Group, which is present in metallurgy, mining, fertilizer production, shipping, shipbuilding and port management. In November Yildirim Group invested in CMA CGM and acquired 20% of its share capital.

Conductix-Wampfler has been commissioned as the general contractor, both for conversion of the cranes and also for associated reconstruction in the port, from the main transformer to the consumers. "We will hand the facility off in turnkey condition," says Ergün Hallac, responsible project lead at Conductix-Wampfler.

Lower costs, save the environment
Diesel-driven RTGs often account for a solid half of the power consumed in a port, and are thus responsible for a significant part of its CO2 emissions. Since diesel prices are continually rising and environmental protection is more and more important, many operators are looking for alternative power concepts for essential cranes. Using Conductix-Wampfler's E-RTG system, these cranes can quickly be converted to cost-saving, environmentally friendly electrical operation. The electrification can be done with the Drive-In solution, the Plug-In solution, or with a motor cable reel.
"We can offer any terminal operator the system that's right for them," says Hallac confidently.

Drive-In on the Bosporus
Conductix-Wampfler will convert the RTGs in the Turkish port of Yilport with the Drive-In system. This system permits cranes to change lanes without manual plugging and unplugging. After each block change, the crane and conductor rail connect automatically.

A total of 18 cranes will be rebuilt, with more than 6 kilometers of conductor rails system "0813" being installed for the power supply to 11 lanes. The conductor rails carry more than 1,000 amperes and have four parallel poles.

Over 700 conversions worldwide
The order from Turkey isn't the first for Conductix-Wampfler. In the last four years, the company has carried out numerous similar orders for port operators in China, Korea, and Japan. "More than 700 of our E-RTG systems are now in use around the world, making us the market leader in this area," says Daniel Dörflinger, CEO of Conductix-Wampfler. The conversions to E-RTGs have so far saved customers a total of over $53 million USD and more than 51 million tons of CO2 emissions.