Seattle Terminals (SSA Terminals), SSAT/ST (LLC) and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) have welcomed two ZPMC Super Post-Panamax cranes to Seattle’s North Harbor.
This marks the latest step in Phase Two of the Terminal 5 Modernisation Project.
The cranes concluded their journey through the Puget Sound, after spending several weeks travelling from Shanghai to Seattle, arriving in Elliott Bay on 17 November.
The two new cranes are joining four existing Super Post-Panamax cranes that arrived at Terminal 5 in 2021.
Each crane, standing 316 feet tall with a 240-foot outreach boom, can handle vessels with containers stacked 10 high and 25 wide on deck, will be among the largest cranes along the west coast. SSAT/ST is the owner and future operator of the cranes.
In addition to the two new Super Post-Panamax cranes, SSAT/ST will also be unloading three ZPMC hybrid rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes from the vessel at Terminal 5. These RTGs will mark one of the first investments in hybrid cargo handling equipment in the NWSA gateway.
The two additional Terminal 5 cranes will begin moving cargo at the beginning of 2024, upon completion of the South Berth expansion and completion of this portion of the Phase Two modernisation project.
“The Northwest Seaport Alliance, alongside SSAT/ST, is committed to making strategic infrastructure investments that maintain our gateway’s competitiveness and supports living wage maritime jobs in the Puget Sound,” stated Port of Seattle Commission President and NWSA Co-Chair, Sam Cho.
“The arrival of the new Super Post-Panamax cranes and completion of the South Berth expansion will enable two vessels to berth at Terminal 5 increasing cargo throughput that supports importers and exporters utilising our gateway.”
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“SSAT/ST is proud to bring two new Super Post-Panamax cranes to Seattle’s Terminal 5,” stated Ed DeNike, President of SSA Containers.
“We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Northwest Seaport Alliance to advance, and invest in, the modernisation of Terminal 5’s capabilities to meet the growing needs of our customers.”
More recently, the Port of Seattle announced it will receive a $17,035,900 federal grant for its ongoing expansion and emissions reduction project.
