The cranes, weighing more than 5.5 million pounds began a month-long, 6,300 mile waterborne journey that will take them from Oakland, through the Panama Canal, and up the East Coast to their new home at Conley Terminal. The two 132 ft. tall low-profile electric dockside cranes from the Port of Oakland and four 78 ft. tall hybrid rubber tired gantry yard cranes from the APM Container Terminal were purchased at a total cost of $15 million which includes transportation and installation. The cranes are expected to arrive in Boston by mid-September, and will increase the total number of dockside cranes at Conley Terminal to six and rubber tired gantry cranes to 12.
“Worldwide cargo is expected to double by 2020 and more freight will be coming through the Panama and Suez Canals destined for the East Coast. The Port of Boston will be prepared to handle these larger ships and increased volume,” said Mike Leone, Massport’s Port Director. “The new cranes bring increased efficiency and flexibility by allowing us to work two vessels simultaneously, or one with all six cranes so we can get goods on and off faster and into the hands of our customers and consumers sooner. We are delighted to work with our sister port in Oakland on this beneficial reuse of the cranes.”
With the expansion of the Panama Canal in 2014 larger ships are expected to call on the Port of Boston. These ships are commonly referred to as Post Panamax, because they exceed the current width and depth of the Canal. Last year, the MSC Viviana was the first Post Panamax ship to come to Boston.
Massport’s Maritime operations create significant economic advantages to the region by supporting more than 32,000 direct and indirect jobs, and contributing nearly $450 million in annual economic impact. It is estimated that with the expected cargo volume increases, Massport-generated jobs will grow to more than 50,000 by 2025.
Rigging International of Alameda, CA was responsible for preparing the cranes for the voyage and is also in charge of the transit. The cranes are aboard the barge Chicago Bridge owned by Trailer Bridge, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL, and are being towed by the U.S.-flagged tugboat Colonel, owned by Dann Ocean Towing, Inc. of Tampa, FL.
In addition to the new cranes, Massport has invested nearly $70 million in improvements to its container business over the last three years, including expanding Conley Terminal’s yard configuration by 50% within the same 100-acre foot print, and adding new machinery; acquiring a 30-acre parcel of land adjacent to the terminal which will allow for future growth of container operations at the port. Plans are also underway with the design of a dedicated truck route and buffer to Conley Terminal; and implementing the initial phase of an enhanced computerized terminal operating system.
