The crane, supplied by Gottwald Port Technology GmbH, is a G HMK 6407, a variant of Model 6, complete with spreader.

It will be delivered to Belfast within the next few weeks and is due to begin operation shortly afterwards.

The new crane is being used to improve container handling efficiency and throughput rates at Belfast Container Terminal (BCT), which is a division of ICG.

The G HMK 6407 has been developed for high-performance applications and high handling rates – assured by lifting capacities of up to 100 tonnes, working radii of up to 51 m and hoisting speeds of up to 90 m/min.

“The new G HMK 6407 has a higher capacity than the port’s existing handling equipment with a longer outreach, enabling larger vessels to be discharged. In addition to having improved performance, the crane can also be connected to an external power supply and this will help the port to achieve its environmental targets of lower CO2 emissions and reduced operational noise due to the crane’s capability of connecting directly into the harbour mains supply,” commented Alec Colvin, General Manager of BCT.

The new crane will be the 13th of its kind operating within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It will be the first mobile harbour crane of Gottwald’s Generation 5 to be operational at an Irish port.