The two brand-new, ultra post-Panamax ship-to-shore gantry cranes are amongst the largest in the world and have the ability to extend over 22 containers across. With twin-lift capability and heavy lift capacity of 85 tons, they take the total number of quayside cranes serving the Port to 31.
Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, which owns the Port of Felixstowe, commented:
“The recent additions to the Trinity fleet are already having an impact upon our operations at Felixstowe and are providing us with the capability to further enhance our customer services. These latest cranes are further evidence of our willingness to continue to invest, and will ensure we are in the best possible position to meet the needs of our customers. Crucially, they will improve the service we are able to offer to the ever growing number of ultra-large containerships calling at Felixstowe.”
He added: “This delivery follows the recent delivery of a new rail-mounted gantry crane for the Port’s Southern Rail Terminal. Together with the extension of the terminal, the new crane will help boost the volume of traffic moving by rail from the Port.”
The new rail terminal crane, and the quayside cranes were all manufactured by Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC) in Shanghai and transported fully erect to the Port of Felixstowe. They will undergo an intense commissioning and testing process before becoming operational at the Port.
The Port of Felixstowe awarded a contract for the further expansion of the Port to Costain in May. The Felixstowe South Reconfiguration will, eventually, increase capacity at the UK’s largest container port by 50%. The first berth, which will be the first new deep-water container berth to be built in the UK since the completion of the Port’s Trinity Terminal, will become operational in 2010.
