World-first 5G-controlled intermodal cranes to install at EWG terminal by Kuenz

A new intermodal terminal in Fényeslitke, Hungary, is set to become one of the largest and most modern terminals in Europe. The innovative crane technology for this comes from Kuenz, the market leader for intermodal container cranes. 

East-West Intermodal Logistics Ltd. has 125 hectares of land at its disposal in Fényeslitke, Hungary, near the Ukrainian and Slovakian border. The aim is to develop this site into the most modern and largest hub on the Silk Road. To meet this goal, the company has chosen the technology leader Kuenz to supply the yard lifting equipment. Three Kuenz Intermodal Cranes and One Freerider RTG will handle up to 1 million TEU per year. The terminal and the cranes will mainly be used for the handling of wide gauge to narrow gauge rail cars. Two of the RMGs will be designed as gantry cranes with a single-sided usable cantilever with a rail gauge of 21m and a cantilever length of 11,5m. The third, larger crane, will be designed with usable cantilevers on both sides; rail gauge is 40,15m and cantilever length on each side is 10m. 

A rubber-tired Kuenz FREERIDER will be delivered for the storage area. The Kuenz RTG's unique aerodynamic design not only provides more stability, it is also designed to move fully loaded containers at very high speeds in all travel directions, as well as in the gantry direction. The specially developed hoisting system is equipped with an integrated micro motion system for maximum flexibility and productivity. 

The cranes will handle all types of containers as well as semi-trailers and swap bodies. 

New standards in the intermodal sector: 

Kuenz has been considered the technology leader in the intermodal sector for decades and was therefore the ideal partner for the delivery of the equipment for this unique terminal. All four Kuenz cranes have a high level of automation and are operated via remote control stations – no cabins are mounted on the cranes. For the first time ever in intermodal terminals, data is to be transmitted to remote-controlled cranes via 5G technology. 

The new East West Gate in Fényeslitke will be the first intermodal combined transport terminal in the world to use its own 5G network for internal communication and operation of its cranes. 

The systems will be delivered before the end of this year. After a test phase, the terminal is scheduled to go into operation at the beginning of 2022.