Kalmar equipment boosts capacity as major Ethiopian terminals expand

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has won a tender to supply nine Kalmar forklift trucks and three empty container handlers to an existing customer, Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise (ESLSE) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ESLSE, a state owned enterprise and the sole operator for multimodal logistic services within the country, signed the order in October 2013, with deliveries scheduled to be completed within just 16 weeks.

The 7 ton Kalmar DCE70-6 forklifts and 10 ton Kalmar DCF100-45E8 empty container handlers will see plenty of action at the coastal port of Djibouti, which serves as the principle import/export location for Ethiopia, handling general cargo and an annual container throughput of 800,000 TEU. The containers are subsequently transported by truck from Djibouti to the dry port at Mojo, some 800km away, for onward distribution. As part of its infrastructure development, ESLSE is currently developing similar dry ports around the country to receive and distribute cargo.

The efficiency of cargo handling at Djibouti port and the expansion of dry ports within Ethiopia is a critical factor for the country's economy. Recognising the importance of the handling equipment and with costs of ownership as a critical factor, ESLSE designed the tender around a points-based, techno-commercial evaluation. Kalmar ultimately was awarded the contract based on scoring maximum points. Both orders include spare parts and field kits.

Mr. Ahmed Tusa, Chief Executive Officer of ESLSE commented that ESLSE is entering contractual agreement with Kalmar, after the recent commissioning of eight Kalmar DRF450-70S5X reachstackers and seven Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors. "These additional Kalmar equipment will definitely increase the overall efficiency of our operations," he concludes.

Further information for the press:

Rob van Klingeren, Market Area Director, Kalmar Middle East and Africa, rob.van.klingeren@kalmarglobal.com, tel. +971 501 005 738

Maija Eklöf, Vice President, Communications, Kalmar, tel. +358 20 777 4096, maija.eklof@kalmarglobal.com

Kalmar offers the widest range of cargo handling solutions and services to ports, terminals, distribution centres and to heavy industry. Kalmar is the industry forerunner in terminal automation and in energy efficient container handling, with one in four container movements around the globe being handled by a Kalmar solution. Through its extensive product portfolio, global service network and ability to enable a seamless integration of different terminal processes, Kalmar improves the efficiency of every move. www.kalmarglobal.com

Kalmar is part of Cargotec. Cargotec's sales totalled EUR 3.3 billion in 2012 and it employs approximately 10,000 people. Cargotec's class B shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com