Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has ordered six more ship-to-shore (STS) cranes from Konecranes for the Port of Savannah in the US state of Georgia to stay ahead of demand as larger vessels deliver more cargo to Savannah.
The cranes will be delivered in the first half of 2020 as Georgia's ports anticipate more growth after a record year for container volume.
Larger vessels and additional container services coupled with a positive economic forecast meant the Georgia Ports Authority handled 3.85 million TEUs for the fiscal year ending in June – 6.7 % more TEUs compared to the previous year, or 242,221 additional TEUs.
The Konecranes STS cranes currently on order have a lifting capacity of 66 tons, an outreach of 61 meters, and a lifting height of 46 meters above the dock.
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Griff Lynch, GPA Executive Director, said: “By 2020, we will have 18 Neopanamax cranes and the ability to work three 14,000-TEU vessels at a single terminal simultaneously.
“Our volume growth continues to outpace forecasted demand. Shipping lines are moving 13,000- and 14,000-TEU vessels into service on the East Coast more quickly than anticipated, and concentrating their deliveries at efficient gateway ports like Savannah.
“This new crane purchase, along with the four already on order, will enable GPA to increase crane capacity by nearly 40%.”
The Port of Savannah currently operates 146 Konecranes RTG cranes and 26 Konecranes STS cranes, with four more under delivery in 2018. The new six units will add the total number of Konecranes STS cranes in the terminal to 36.
Mika Mahlberg, Konecranes Executive Vice President, Business Area Port Solutions, said: “It has been exciting to be part of the port’s tremendous growth. The new cranes will add GPA’s capacity to handle the largest vessels calling any port today and tomorrow. They present the latest technology in the industry.”