NEW SOLUTION TO LOW COST CONTAINER HANDLING.

With the aid of government development funds, a Swedish company, Sea Flats AB, has recently developed what it sees as a rational solution to the problem of low-cost handling and stacking of laden containers. The Handy-Lift straddle carrier is expected to have strong appeal in applications where moderate container handling speeds are required. Its price, at less than one-fifth of the cost of conventional straddle carriers, should put it well within the range of many inland depots, shipper's factories and developing country terminals where heavy investment in sophisticated handling equipment is not economically feasible. The article discusses design features, maintenance aspects, and operations of the straddle carrier.