THE Middle East’s rapidly expanding network of world-class ports will be a key target market for Continental Commercial Specialty Tyres (CST). The German manufacturer has launched what it says is the world’s most complete tyre portfolio for port fleets.

The portfolio, introduced at the TOC Europe Exhibition 2013 in Rotterdam, Holland, includes customised tyres for all vehicle types operating in port logistics. The range includes tyres for straddle carriers, reach stackers, rubber tyre gantry cranes, terminal tractors and trailers, and heavy-duty forklifts. Most are based on the revolutionary V.ply technology, which has been especially developed for the challenging working environments of vehicles in port operation.

Middle East ports, such as Jebel Ali and Khalifa in the UAE and King Abdul Aziz port in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, are constantly investing and expanding and are set to benefit from the new tyre portfolio, which will optimise operating costs and efficiency. In recent years, global port logistics have shown a steady market growth of 7 per cent per year. According to recent estimates, the global port business will double its capacity from now until 2024.

“For port fleets, fuel is cost factor number one, and tyre replacement cost factor number two. More than that, 20 per cent of a vehicle’s fuel consumption originates in the rolling resistance of tyres, commented Dr Michael Andreas Maertens, managing director of Continental CST. “With our new high-quality portfolio we can offer customers in the important Middle East market a complete solution that increases reliability and safety, while simultaneously keeping operating costs down and optimising the environmental performance of their fleets.”

The Continental ContainerMaster and DockMaster tyres are designed for reach stackers, empty container handlers and heavy-duty forklifts. Continental offers these two tire ranges to fully address the particular challenges of each vehicle type and the wide scope of different operating environments and customer needs.