I. Client Background
The Port of Constanța is a national comprehensive port of Romania, with an annual cargo throughput of over 120 million tons and a container handling volume exceeding 1 million TEUs. There is a need for a durable and cost-effective engineering tire, especially a robust and durable 18.00-25 tyre, to cope with the harsh operating conditions in the port.
II. Core Operational Pain Points
- Frequent Punctures: Sharp metal debris on the pavement causes frequent failures in traditional port tires, resulting in over 8 hours of monthly downtime due to tire blowouts.
Salt Spray Aging: The Black Sea's high salt spray concentration (100-300mg/m³) accelerates rubber aging, limiting the lifespan of standard tires to only 8-10 months.
Severe Wear: Heavy container loads (20-40 tons) combined with low-speed, sharp-angle steering lead to rapid tread wear and cord breakage.
The previous tire brand failed to meet these demands due to poor wear resistance and salt spray protection, resulting in high maintenance costs.
III. Port Tire Solution: The KT619 18.00-25 Tyre Customization
To address the operational pain points of the Port of Constanța, Kunlun Tire customized the KT619 18.00-25 tire E-4 port-specific engineering tire. This specific 18.00-25 tyre model was selected due to its heavy-load capacity and robust construction.
KT619 18.00-25 44PR E-4 port equipment tires (heavy-duty reinforced grade) with a groove depth of 67.5mm (E-4 deep pattern design)
IV. Tire Performance Results
The Kunlun KT619 E-4 tire was installed and tested in the Port of Constanța in January 2025. Five reach trucks were selected as test subjects, and after 6 months of actual operation verification, all performance indicators were significantly improved. The core test results are as follows:
Wear Resistance and Service Life: During the test period, the average mileage of each tire was 8,500km, and the tire tread wear was only 12mm. The overall service life is expected to reach 18-20 months, which is over 80% higher than traditional tires, completely solving the problem of frequent tire replacements. This confirms the 18.00-25 tire as a high-durability solution for port equipment tires.
Fault Resistance and Downtime Rate: During the 6-month test period, none of the 5 test equipment experienced a downtime due to tire puncture, blowout, or cord breakage. The tire failure downtime rate dropped to 0, and the equipment operation efficiency increased by 15%.
V. Client Feedback
Client feedback (Head of Equipment Operation Department of Port of Constanța):
"The Kunlun KT619 18.00-25 tire E-4 has fully exceeded our expectations. Previously, monthly tire failures cost us significant manpower. Now, with zero failure downtime and excellent tread condition after six months, equipment efficiency has improved dramatically. This port tire's wear and salt spray resistance are outstanding. Kunlun's solution is truly cost-effective for port equipment tires."
Currently, Constanta Port has procured an initial 50 Kunlun KT619 tires and plans to fully replace all port forklift and RTG equipment tires with the KT619 series by 2026.
VI. Future Cooperation and Planning
Building on the success of the KT619 E-4 tire, Kunlun Tires and Constanta Port have established a three-phase strategic partnership. Starting from Q2 2026, the port will begin a comprehensive replacement program, upgrading 120 units of port equipment to Kunlun KT619 port equipment tires to significantly reduce operational costs. Looking ahead, Kunlun Tires will provide ongoing technical support to develop customized tire solutions for larger-tonnage equipment. With Constanta Port as a benchmark, Kunlun Tires aims to expand its presence across Romanian and Black Sea coastal ports, promoting the adoption of cost-effective domestic engineering tires throughout the Eastern European port market.
