The Port of Oakland has announced it will install three new gantry cranes in order to prepare for the next generation of mega-ships, according to a statement.
The three cranes, which will cost approximately US $30 million, could be the tallest in the US and, according to the Port, will definitely be the tallest on the west coast.
SSA Terminals, the operator of the Oakland International Container Terminal, ordered the cranes from Shanghai-based ZPMC, which are expected to be delivered by the end of 2020.
Port of Oakland getting three new #cranes, could be tallest in US; #Oakland International Container Terminal's $30 million prep for mega ships #ships #megaships #containercranes https://t.co/GlbXXxTcel pic.twitter.com/nM5mE6ElBj
— Port of Oakland (@PortofOakland) February 19, 2019
The Port has said the cranes could be up to 440-feet tall with booms upraised. They will arrive only partially assembled to assure clearance under the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
A recent Port Technology technical paper looked at the 10 pre-requisites for smart terminal automation
They will have a lift height of 174 feet above the dock and will be able to reach 225 feet across a ship’s deck. Furthermore, the new workhorses at the Port will make it quicker and easier to containers on and off vessels.
Speaking about the new cranes, the Port of Oakland’s Port Maritime Director John Driscoll said: “This demonstrates the faith that business partners have in Oakland as a trade gateway. There’s no more visible sign of a port’s growth than installing larger ship-to-shore cranes.”
SSA Container President Ed DeNike also commented: “Big ships are the future. “They’re coming to Oakland and we’re going to be ready for them.”
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