THE Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) through its Engineering and Operations Departments recently witnessed the commissioning of a new Taylor reach-stacker at Port Castries, along with a John Deree tractor at the Hewanorra International Airport.
The newly acquired Taylor reach-stacker has been added to its existing fleet of four container reach stackers. Also known as “Big Red”; it was shipped disassembled from the manufacturer in the United States and assembled by employees of SLASPA’s Engineering and Operations Departments.
The service technician from Taylor Machines Works Inc., who was responsible for commissioning the equipment, expressed positive feedback regarding the speed at which the reach-stacker was assembled.
Through its procurement process, the Authority was also able to modernize its grass cutting equipment at the Hewanorra International Airport (HIA) by obtaining the new John Deree Tractor and attachments, including a Rotary Mower, Centre Pivot Backhoe and Loader with a heavy duty bucket. A technician from Farol Ltd. in the United Kingdom, was responsible for the commissioning of this equipment and also provided operator and technical training to all employees who are its potential users.
Said Senior Engineer, Mr. Daren Cenac: “The equipment will allow for improved levels of efficiency and a better customer experience at the two facilities. The reach-stacker particularly, will increase productivity and reduce the waiting period for loading and off-loading containers at Port Castries and the tractor and attachments at HIA will facilitate improved landscaping capability, which is a safety and security requirement for airport operations.”