Ravenna Container Terminal (TCR) is this week celebrating the commissioning of its second new giant quay crane as part of an €8 million investment program.
The Italian terminal is currently being expanded to accommodate 8,000 TEU vessels – a significant improvement given that the largest ships currently calling the facility have a capacity of 3,000 TEU
The crane commissioning project was undertaken by OMG-MGM and Control Techniques (Emerson Group), in close cooperation with TCR’s technical department, and was completed in just over a year.
The new cranes have an outreach of 17 containers across, 35.5 metres under spreader, and a lifting capacity improved up to 55 tonnes. Furthermore, the cranes cabins are both equipped with a dynamic control station, provided by Brieda Cabins, a technical solution designed to improve the ergonomic conditions for the crane operators. New electronic solutions will also provide a 30 percent energy saving, resulting in better operational performances and lower fuel consumption.
“Today we unveil a new period for TCR that looks to the future with ambition and determination,” said TCR president, Luisa Babini.
“As we wait for the dredging operations to be provided by Ravenna Port Authority, the terminal is preparing to host larger ships that are now on the horizon.”
“We are supported by a team who want to grow and improve themselves in favor of our valued customers who can also look forward with confidence as our shareholders (Sapir and Contship Italia).”
TCR is also currently finalising a purchase order for three new rail mounted gantry cranes (RMGs) in preparation for larger ship calls. These calls can’t come soon enough, according to the President of Contship Italia, Cecilia Eckelmann Battistello.
“As there is now evidence of a market recovery, we must now proceed by increasing the pace of development in order to revive Ravenna’s competitiveness in the Adriatic,” she said
“A container terminal providing service flexibility and reliability is vital for the Emilia Romagna and the Northern East Italian economies.”