The GMP – PortSynergy-operated Terminal de France at the Port of Le Havre has successfully taken delivery of four new gantry cranes as it accelerates its efforts to accommodate the world’s largest vessels.
In a statement, HAROPA Ports said the cranes were unloaded in the space of a week, a process which was completed on 23 August. They arrived on the Zhen Hua 27, a specialist crane transportation vessel, from Chinese manufacturer ZPMC.
Each gantry weighs 2100 tons, has a lifting capacity of 54 metres under the spreader, offers a range of 26 rows of containers and can handle 2 40-foot containers simultaneously.
Furthermore, HAROPA said the delivery of the cranes will play an important role in its ‘Port 2000’ project, an initiative to increase its capacity and upgrade its equipment.
As part of the installation of the cranes, temporary rails were position at the edge of the dock and winches used to move each one from ship to quay. The cranes will come into full service in October.
The Port already has 10 gantry cranes and the next stage of Port 2000 will include additional liner quay space and a new container terminal, due to be operational by 2024.
At the same time, completion of the study phase for the direct river access to Port 2000 project is expected to take place by the end of the year to make way for the public inquiry. The first work is expected to start in 2022, with commissioning at the end of 2023.
