Higher performance and reliability in container handling
Container handling company Co.Na.Te.Co. S.P.A, (Conateco), Consorzio Napoletano Terminal Containers, is located at the Port of Naples and covers 100,000 m2 with a 300-meter pier. The core business services of Conateco include the loading, unloading and stacking of containers in the customs area.
Their three biggest customers are MSC, COSCO and MAERSK. Soon, Conateco will also handle MESSINA Line containers. In a facility running 24/7, the company has 300 direct employees, but including transporters and agents, over 2,000 people are indirectly employed in company operations.
Increasing the size of the fleet and the level of performance
Conateco was previously owned 50% by COSCO and 50% by MSC. In 2016, the ownership changed and MSC is the sole owner. After the acquisition, Conateco needed to increase the performance and reliability of both the port and the container handling used there. In the past, the company had relied on Fantuzzi vehicles, which then passed to Terex. The whole fleet has always been Reggiane – Terex – Konecranes branded. With a long history and good experience with Konecranes machines, Conateco decided to buy Konecranes Liftace lift trucks to increase the size of the fleet, providing better performance and reconditioning the older units.
Several rental machines and maintenance for the complete fleet
Konecranes wanted to meet the needs of COSCO in the best possible way, and proposed a big package, including four reach stackers and an empty container handler on rental agreement. The company also bought a new reach stacker to be delivered later. To ensure best performance over the long-term, the offer also included service and maintenance for the complete fleet. Maintenance services and operations are provided by Menichini Industriale e Navale Srl and by Movincar S.p.A.
Efficient operations 24/7
Conateco was not used to renting their lift trucks. But in order to recondition the older units, the Konecranes solution of renting new units was a good option. In case older units broke down, the rentals could still continue their daily work at the port.
“Conateco is the best test area to experiment with the performance and life cycle of lift trucks. We areavailable to our customers 24 hours a day, working in four shifts, and can offer continuous container handling and support services,” says Mr. Luigi Coscione, Technical Manager, Conateco “After only 16-18 months of operation, we have already passed 4,000 working hours. We have gone from 16 containers an hour to 20 containers an hour, arriving at a peak of 25-30 with the last vessels.”
“We’ve had very positive feedback on Konecranes lift trucks and none of our current vehicles have broken down. The few problems that have appeared, have been quickly settled under warranty,” says Mr. Coscione.
Future lifting needs for the new terminal
Conateco will expand its operations in the future in a new Levante Terminal, which will be on the east side of the Port of Naples. The terminal area will triple and feature a new one-kilometer pier. “There will be investments of many millions in this terminal, and most probably, our choice of lift trucks will be Konecranes again,” says Mr. Coscione.