Port commissions four new forklifts

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority (SVGPA) has recently commissioned four new industrial forklift trucks, as part of its continuing modernization program.{{more}}

Charged with moving more than 95 per cent of all cargo in and about St Vincent and the Grenadines, the SVGPA has begun a process to ensure that all its procedures, personnel, policies and equipment were updated to meet the demands of the dynamic global logistic chain, a release from the SVGPA said.

According to the release, the equipment upgrade programme has seen the purchase of two prime movers (container trucks), a Mobile Harbour Crane, a Reach Stacker and now four forklift trucks.

The trucks that have been purchased were selected after a vigorous process to identify the most critical needs in terms of cargo handling. Two models were chosen, the H70ft and the H110ft with three and five ton capacity respectively.

As the SVGPA moves to adopt international best practices, two of the recently purchased forklift trucks are powered by propane and would be used indoors. With lower heat and carbon monoxide emissions there trucks would improve the general working conditions in the various warehouses.

Purchased directly from Hyster at a cost of $439,027.13, the trucks arrived partially assembled, with final assembly work to be completed by the SVGPA mechanical staff. An independent technician was also hired to facilitate final assembly.

To date, the SVGPA has spent some $18,239,931.26 on fleet modernization. The process is expected to continue into 2014.