Kalmar Collision Warning System enhances safety at Maher Terminals

Maher Terminals, a North American multi-user container terminal operator, has implemented Kalmar's Collision Warning System on 36 of its straddle carriers, aiming to enhance safety and reduce incidents. The company plans to expand the system across its entire fleet of over 270 Kalmar machines by 2025.

The Kalmar Collision Warning System utilizes sensors to actively detect obstacles and alert operators via visual and audible alarms. This system is designed to prevent or mitigate collisions involving the machine, its spreader, or the carried container, thereby improving personnel safety and protecting equipment.

Developed in collaboration with Kalmar, the system's prototypes were deployed in September 2022. Since its installation on 36 machines, Maher Terminals reports a decrease in straddle-to-straddle, straddle-to-vehicle, and straddle-to-container collisions. This has also led to improved reliability and reduced impact-related maintenance costs for the equipped machines.

"Nothing is more important at Maher Terminals than safety. We asked Kalmar to develop the Collision Warning System to improve employee safety at one of the busiest container terminals in the world," said Louis Allora, Chief Engineer at Maher Terminals LLC. He noted that the system has also reduced damage to spreaders from forward impacts with containers and decreased claims for damaged containers.

The system also provides warnings if the spreader or container is too low when approaching container stacks. Maher Terminals intends to retrofit its remaining straddle carriers and integrate the system as a standard feature in all future Kalmar straddle carrier purchases.