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Tall in the straddle

[ October 21, 2021   //   ]

Straddle carriers are a vital part of the operations at Tilbury’s London Container Terminal, but how many of us know just what it’s like to drive one of these monsters?

Forth Ports has produced a new behind the scenes video in which straddle drivers and trainers talk about their experiences of driving these 55ft high, 70 tonne machines and showcases the opportunities for people to join to port in this very unusual driving role. [https://vimeo.com/637042603/91eba29620]

As many FBJ readers will know, straddle carriers are used in container ports around the world to move containers between ship and land transport. Tilbury itself has 36 of them, handling around 300,000 containers a year and there are job opportunities available now for new drivers. The port has a bespoke training programme on the company’s new training simulator to help prepare them for this highly skilled role.

Forth Ports group human resources manager Michelle Primrose, says: “Even if you have only ever driven a car before, this could be an exciting opportunity to develop new skills supported by our training and logistics academy.”

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