The choice for a different erection site due to the lack of erection space forced the company to opt for a different approach to the task at hand – the cranes needed to be transported by sea to their final destination following the erection. The calculations necessary for this delicate job were handled by Portunus and Liebherr technicians who brought the idea of manufacturing additional carrier beams of 28 meters length and weighing 45 tons each to mount the cranes upon the Self Propelled Modular Transporters.
The disassembled STS units were brought to Derince Port which is ideally located as the distance was approximately 10 km. With the arrival of the Crane parts Portunus team, comprised of 34 engineers and technicians, started the assembly of the cranes. The cranes were erected consecutively in 72 & 63 days.
With the green light from the weather forecasters the second phase of the operation began with the mounting of the STS cranes to the biggest barge available in Turkey. It was the tallest structure ever carried with a barge by a Turkish Company in Turkish waters. Mounted upon the SPMT hydraulic axles the towering cranes were pulled slowly by tugboats to their final destinations. Each ferry took 3.5 hours while the loading, lashing, unloading and unlashing took 25 hours for each crane.
Now the cranes are ready for commissioning at their final destination, the amphibious mission is completed with hundred percent success by the combined efforts of Liebherr and Portunus.