Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co (ZPMC) has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract by Peel Ports to equip its new Liverpool2 container terminal with state-of-the-art ‘mega’ container cranes.
The Shanghai-based manufacturer, as part of a £100 million deal, will supply five ship-to-shore cranes (STS) megamax quay cranes and 12 cantilever rail-mounted gantry cranes (CRMGs) for the first phase of Liverpool2’s development. A further three STS cranes and 10 CRMGs will be delivered to the terminal for the second phase.
The cranes will allow the new box terminal to handle two 13,500 TEU capacity vessels simultaneously. With semi-automated remote-controlled operation, the cranes will reduce the time taken to transfer containers from port to road or rail. They will also have the ability to operate at speeds in excess of 30mph and wind speeds of up to 55mph (88kmph).
“The specification set out by Peel Ports was extremely demanding,” explains ZPMC senior vice president, Liu Qizhong.
“It is clear their ambition to set new standards in port handling technology is a serious one. The combination of deep water and cutting edge technologies sets a new standard for port innovation in Europe.”
Liverpool2’s fleet of STS and CRMG cranes will be supported by the latest quayside facilities and technologies, including a fully-integrated Navis N4 terminal operating system, autogates and ABB equipment controls.
The £300 million investment programme by Peel Ports to expand and develop the existing Port of Liverpool will see Liverpool2 become the UK’s largest transatlantic deep-sea port and container terminal.
Liverpool2, which will boast a capacity of more than one million TEU per annum, is scheduled to open for commercial business in 2015.