THE STAR, August 12th, 2002 - IN A BID to continue offering higher levels of efficiency and productivity to its customers Westport has added 30 more prime movers to its existing fleet of 139 units.The termmal tractors will be used as workhorses to haul container trailers between the quay and storage yards.

With the vehicles, Westport is set to reach its target of handling 2million TEUs by the end of this year, an increase of 550,000 TEUs from 2001, said Westport general manager of Corporate services Abdul Malik Rahman.

"Our target volume of 2 million TEUs can only be achieved if we have the right ratio of prime movers to service each quay crane and its efficiency.

"I think the efficient back-up equipments that complement the wharf side activities and yard operations is a step towards the right direction for us to achieve what we have aimed to do," said Malik.

Malik said that the terminal currently operates on a ratio of one quay crane to three rubber-tired gantry cranes to six prime movers.

"With, the additional vehicles, we hope to reduce the number of, prime movers to the quay cranes.

"We are managing about 30 to 35 moves per hour per crane. With the increased number of prime movers, we are looking at a surplus situation where we have an excess of prime movers," said Malik.

He said Westport has a further 15 prime movers on order that would arrive by later this year.

"The new prime movers will keep us on track for the fast growing volumes coming through the port as well as staying ahead and competitive in the worldwide shipping market," he said.