Capital Equipment News October 2016

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

Daimler showcases digitalisation and e-mobility solutions at IAA

Famous for its innovative approach to logis- tics, DACHSER South Africa’s recent partner- ship with a project engineering company that provides transformers to the mining sector highlights the company’s commitment to find- ing streamlined solutions for the most chal- lenging logistics requirements. The client re- quired a logistics partner that could manage the complex logistics process of transporting 105 transformers, of three different weights ranging from 1 400 kg to 8 000 kg per piece, from origin in Germany to final destination at a coal mine in Zambia. According to Detlev Duve, managing director of DACHSER South Africa, the company was more than ready to tackle a project such as this. “DACHSER South Africa is well-placed to take on highly complex logistics challenges given our in-house specialist knowledge and a well-established global and African network of partners.” As well as being able to handle the com- plexity of multiple stops before destination, DACHSER South Africa was also required to provide expert packing and loading knowl- edge to maintain the integrity of the trans- formers and their casings during transporta- tion. This included the temporary removal of protruding parts which were to be reassem- bled by the client at destination. The challenge of logistics lies in provid- ing a streamlined process within a specific timeframe. “To guarantee an excellent and timeous service requires a dedicated team of multi-talented personnel that are the links in an unbreakable chain from start to finish. This includes DACHSER’s ocean imports team and customs department that ensures the shipment from Germany to South Africa goes smoothly. Next in the chain is our highly experienced local logistics department that handles the loading and movement of the transformers from arrival at customs, to cas- ing fitment in Gauteng, and then to the test- bed facility in the Limpopo Province. The final link in the chain is DACHSER South Africa’s road freight exports department that over- sees transportation from Limpopo province to Zambia.” Currently, 29 transformers are being pre- pared for transportation, with 12 already in the process of delivery. The transformers are secured on flat rack containers and delivered in a convoy of two at a time via super links to the mine in Zambia. Duve says that a three to four-day transit time is anticipated from South Africa to Zambia. “With timeframes like this, there is no room for delay. This means that planning for all scenarios is ab- solutely key.” b GETTING THE BETTER OF LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES

Daimler Trucks’ focus at this year’s IAA International Commercial Vehicle Show, held from 22 to 29 September, was on the megatrends of the future: digitalisation and e-mobility. The truck maker reasons that connectivity and the intelligent networking of trucks are now raising the haulage sector to a whole new level. Mercedes-Benz Trucks has linked up the two megatrends of digitalisation and e-mobility in the Urban eTruck. The vehicle is said to be a spectacular vision of the networked and all-electric distribution truck of tomorrow. The Urban eTruck illustrates the fascinating possibilities of connectivity, electric drive systems, future display and control technologies, telematics and a largely self-sufficient power supply. The Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck defines the latest developments in all-electric vehicles in the heavy short-radius distribution sector. The triple-axle vehicle with a permissible gross weight of 26 t produces zero local emissions and runs silently, yet it is equal to a truck with an internal combustion engine in terms of load and performance, and, thanks to its innovative power supply, it is also economical. Meanwhile, Fuso’s eCanter is the third generation of the world’s first fully electric- powered light commercial vehicle and is the first small-scaleproduction runof electric Fuso trucks. Technically, the eCanter is radically different from its predecessor and benefits from the extensive findings of customer trials with the second generation and the reduced costs of battery and component technology. Ludwig Meyer GmbH & Co. KG is a long-standing partner of Iveco in Germany, and has a long history of demonstrating in- novation in the field of CNG and electric vehicles. The Friedrichsdorf-based com- pany will soon be operating 20 Stralis NP trucks from Iveco for the purposes of fresh food logistics and distribution in the Berlin area. Meyer Logistik is also coordinating the construction of a public Liquefied Nat- ural Gas (LNG) filling station on the east side of the Berliner Ring orbital motorway. The Federal Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (BMVI) encouraged the purchase of the LNG truck fleet with an investment of €360 000, thereby allowing the construction of the LNG refuelling station. “LNG is a promising alternative to conventional fuel. Funded by the BMVI pilot

The new eCanter uses a permanent synchronous electric motor with an output of 185 kW and torque of 380 Nm. Power is transferred to the rear axle by a standard single-speed transmission. Depending on the body, load and usage, a range of more than 100 km without stationary recharging is possible. The batteries are spread over five units, one centrally in the frame right behind the cab and two more on each side of the frame. They are water-cooled lithium- ion batteries that provide a long service life, high efficiency, especially at high ambient temperatures, and compact construction of the battery units. b The outstanding features of the Urban eTruck include its drive with electrically powered rear axle and electric motors directly adjacent to the wheel hubs. project with Meyer Logistics, this deal is an important contribution in the field of new and clean drives for heavy trucks and LNG as a fuel source in Germany,” says Rainer Bomba, state secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. Pierre Lahutte, brand president at Iveco, is delighted that the door to more sustainable logistics is now open in Germany. “Iveco is a leading technology developer in the natural gas sector. Our customers in Spain, Italy, the UK and the Netherlands are demonstrating that LNG is an equally reliable and efficient technology that has far less of an environ- mental impact than other fuels. The Stralis NP not only produces cleaner emissions, but is also extremely quiet. This makes the ve- hicle suitable for urban use and calms resi- dents’ concerns about noise.” b

Iveco delivers Germany’s first LNG-powered long-haul truck

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS OCTOBER 2016 36