Shanghai's Yangshan deep water facility, the world’s largest cargo port, has signed a deal with British Steel, a manufacturer of high-quality steel products, to supply crane rails for the fourth stage of the $83 billion project.
The order, delivered through Steel CLIK, a major supplier in the crane rail market, will enable the port of Shanghai to handle huge container ships with depths of up to 15 metres.
Under the terms of the deal, British Steel has already supplied 4,650 tonnes of special profiles for the Yangshan development with a further 3,000 tonnes to follow for the next phase.
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Peter Gate, Managing Director of British Steel’s Special Profiles business, said: “China offers us a great opportunity so we’re delighted to be bringing our products to market through Steel CLIK.
“The Yangshan project is a highly prestigious development and, given the competition we faced, we’re immensely proud to have been awarded this contract.
“Our crane rails are of a very high quality and strength and will ensure the port, which will handle millions of tonnes of cargo a year, has exceptional capabilities.”
British Steel’s crane rails are developed for overhead gantry and floor-mounted cranes in ports, warehouses and shipyards across the globe.
Its track shoe long bar and cutting edges are key components in earthmoving equipment.
The steel is made at the company’s Scunthorpe works in the UK before being rolled at its Special Profiles business in Skinningrove, Teesside
Shanghai’s Yangshan development is unique – not only because of its sheer size but because of the shallow waters surrounding the offshore islands of Greater and Lesser Yangshan where the port is being built.
The project started in 2002 and, according to the plan design, the deep water facility will be completed in 2020.
It is connected to the mainland by the 20-mile-long Donghai bridge – the world’s longest sea bridge.
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Gate added: “We’re delighted to be working with Steel CLIK on the Yangshan project, it will be an incredible development once it’s completed.
“For major projects like this we can customise crane rail in terms of steel grade and provide lengths of up to 16 metres – this means there are less joints which is a major benefit to developers as they can carry heavier loads and maximise efficiency.”
A Steel CLIK spokesman said: “Steel CLIK is a leading solution supplier for projects and special steel users. We have played important roles in most of China’s ports including Shanghai and Qingdao.
“Our years of expertise and quality rails from British Steel have definitely helped us win most of the jobs in the market, not only in China but also in Vietnam, Brazil, Thailand, India.”
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