Port handling: all the equipment for your terminals

Port handling equipment

A response for every logistics flow

Managing port traffic begins with anticipating large influxes of cargo. This is precisely where port handling equipment. These vehicles provide the essential link between the ship, the transit yard, and the road or rail exit. Moving oversized loads, reorganizing storage aisles, or unloading a cargo ship requires very specific dimensions. A properly sized fleet prevents congestion during peak activity periods. The goal is to streamline the flow of containers while ensuring the daily safety of your forklift operators.

Mechanics designed for docks

We choose port handling equipment truly capable of withstanding the harshest maritime conditions. Salt air, strong winds, and three-shift work quickly wear out standard components. Therefore, robust designs are essential, operational day and night. Modern cabs offer unobstructed visibility, a crucial factor in preventing accidents amidst the ambient noise of the terminals. These machines are also designed for easy access to the engines, which greatly simplifies routine maintenance.

Straddle carrier

The step-over to save space

When ground space becomes critical, the port straddle carrier emerges as an excellent alternative for organizing storage areas. This straddle carrier is distinguished by its tall metal structure that directly covers the containers. This straddle technique facilitates stacking; the machine grasps the load from above and then lifts it to stack it multiple levels high. As a result, you drastically reduce the space between rows. You can thus store significantly more goods in the same area, without needing wide aisles for maneuvering.

Complete autonomy on the terminal

This steel giant enjoys exceptional freedom of movement. Unlike rail-mounted gantries, it navigates freely from one end of the quay to the other. It retrieves cargo from under the ship's crane and deposits it directly onto a truck trailer or train. This remarkable flexibility significantly increases throughput. Furthermore, the suspended cab provides the operator with a perfect view to align the gripping corners with millimeter precision, considerably shortening handling cycles.

Reach stacker

The flexibility of the telescopic arm

A true Swiss Army knife for medium-sized yards, the reach stacker handles heavy loads with astonishing agility. Its telescopic arm allows it to retrieve containers from the second or even third position in a dense stack. Thanks to this long reach, there's no need to move the boxes in the first row to reach your target. Your teams save significant time on every job, while reducing unnecessary handling that consumes fuel.

The partner for multimodal terminals

Its mobility makes it the ideal tool for loading freight trains, structuring customs areas, or sorting daily deliveries. Its wide wheelbase provides excellent stability during maneuvers under full load. To explore the capabilities of these machines, please consult our ranges of Sany and Hyster reach stackers, designed to combine lifting power with maneuverability.

Port tractor

Rapid mobility between areas

Horizontal transport is the foundation of dockside logistics. The tractor unit makes rapid shuttles between the unloading cranes and temporary storage areas. Its compact size and ultra-tight turning radius allow it to maneuver virtually anywhere. The driver positions the load in an instant, eliminating queues under the gantries.

Unbreakable resistance

The fifth wheel on these Mafi is designed to withstand repeated coupling shocks. It's an endurance machine, built to spend its life on the port's asphalt. Discover the models and their engines in our section dedicated to port tractors.

High-capacity trolleys and container carriers

Lifting of full and empty crates

The handling of shipping containers also relies on more conventional machines, but ones equipped with colossal strength. In the yards, these behemoths lift, move, and align the units with remarkable stability. Whether stacking empty containers very high to save space or handling extremely heavy loads, the chassis remains unfazed.

Robustness for heavy loads

Some heavy-duty container forklifts can lift up to 52 tons effortlessly. This raw power is essential for even the most demanding industrial operations. Take a look at our empty container forklifts, designed for high stacking while withstanding strong coastal winds.

SPMT Platform

Moving the exceptional

Transporting oversized components, such as wind turbine blades, giant transformers, or naval blocks, requires a rethink of transport methods. Designed by Cometto, these self-propelled platforms distribute the weight across dozens of steerable axles. They glide hundreds of tons with incredible fluidity, all without damaging your road surfaces.

Modular customization

The system works like a construction set. You connect the modules widthwise or lengthwise depending on the dimensions of the item to be transported. Using the remote control, the operator walks alongside the load and keeps an eye on all blind spots. Find these configurations on the dedicated SPMT handling platform.

Roll trailers and trailers

Anticipating shipments

Hauling heavy loads requires rolling bases capable of withstanding extreme conditions. The manufacturer Mafi offers platforms adapted to each type of vessel. Using port trailers allows you to prepare road shipments in advance. Your teams can position the goods on the quayside well before the ship docks, thus smoothing out your work schedule throughout the day.

The RoRo approach

For horizontally loaded roll-on/roll-off ships, low-profile platforms known as roll trailers are crucial. They slide directly onto the decks to deposit heavy cargo. Their ultra-low center of gravity perfectly secures fragile items as they roll along the ship's ramps.

Port handling shovels

Handling bulk materials with precision

Bulk terminals have their own set of rules. Transshipping grain, coal, sand, or scrap metal requires high-performance hydraulic systems. Solmec excavators literally rip the material from the bottom of the ship and empty it into the hoppers. The movement must be swift and continuous to ensure nothing is lost between the ship and the quay.

A bird's-eye view into the holds

With its elevated cab, the crane operator has a commanding view of the entire work area. It maintains direct visual contact with the bottom of the hold, a major advantage for safely cleaning the ship and preventing damage to the hull from the grab bucket. Discover these machines in our hydraulic excavator.

Why choose SNM Heavy Handling

A thorough knowledge of the docks

Investing in port handling equipment is a significant strategic decision that commits your finances for years to come. We have an in-depth understanding of your operations and your profitability requirements. Today, we support numerous maritime and river terminals. This constant on-site presence allows us to advise you on the precise machine needed for your traffic.

Flawless technical support

Our work doesn't end with handing over the keys. Our mobile technicians come directly to your sites to provide after-sales service. Preventive maintenance, rapid delivery of spare parts, operator training—we handle everything. Our goal is simple: to guarantee a quick start and ensure your machines run continuously.