The cranes are used to load and unload container vessels. The Port said taller cranes will be better able to reach containers stacked high above decks on modern-day megaships.
“This is a commitment to the future of shipping in Oakland,” said John Driscoll, the Port’s Maritime Director. “Vessels are getting bigger and bigger and we’re providing the infrastructure to keep them coming our way.”
The Port said it’s raising the cranes at Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT) in partnership with SSA Marine, the terminal operator. Cost of the project is estimated at about $14 million.
The Port said that crane-raising is part of an overall effort to strengthen Oakland’s competitiveness among West Coast ports. Other projects underway or expected to begin soon include:
Doubling the size of nearby TraPac marine terminal;
Constructing a 287,000-square foot Cool Port for refrigerated cargo transport; and
Developing the first 27 acres of a Seaport Logistics Complex that will attract additional imports and exports.
Technicians began the exacting work of crane-raising last week, pulling the first 3-million-pound unit off its guide rails. In a delicate, 90-minute procedure, it was shuttled to the eastern edge of OICT’s Oakland Estuary dock. That’s where the work will take place beginning next month.
Over a 9-week period, engineers will brace the crane on supports, cut away its lower legs and affix extensions. They’ll return the heightened crane to duty before withdrawing the next one for raising, probably in August.
Port of Oakland begins project to raise height of four cranes
First Liebherr LRS 545 reachstacker for India
Furthermore, Bothra is awaiting delivery of a new Liebherr training simulator.
Liebherr has delivered a new LRS 545 Reachstacker to Bothra Shipping Services Pvt Ltd. at Kakinada Port. The new Reachstacker is being used at Bothra Shipping Group’s busy port for container operation predominantly for the stacking of containers inside the terminal. Bothra Group opted for a Liebherr Reachstacker because of the smooth handling features and the high total economic value of the machine.
Low total cost of ownership
The LRS 545 is designed for highly responsive operation to allow high performance in a relaxed manner. The innovative individual drive concept ensures that, a hydraulic motor independently drives each wheel. Not only is this a more compact solution, it reduces tyre scrubbing and thereby increases tyre life. The reduced wear and tear of the tires strongly contributes to low total cost of ownership. By removing the mechanical gearbox element, the drive of the machine from acceleration to braking is smooth and step less, which provides added sensitivity at low speeds and increases driver comfort. Another significant factor for good total cost of ownership of a Reachstacker is of course fuel consumption. The highly efficient hydrostatic drive system of the LRS 545 makes a reduction in engine size possible. Fitted with a 4-cylinder 230 kW engine that meets Tier 4f requirements, fuel consumption as low as 12 to 14 litres per hour can be achieved.
New training simulator for ship and port cranes
Bothra Shipping Group operates eleven Liebherr mobile harbour cranes in total – from LHM 400 over LHM 425 to seven LHM 550. The cranes are used for bulk operation as Bothra handles a huge volume of coal. Therefore, some cranes are also equipped with Liebherrs self-learning system SmartGrip that increases material handling performance and protects the crane from being overloaded. The India Shipping Group also awaits delivery of one multipurpose ship crane type CBW, which will be installed on a barge for open sea operation. Another fixed cargo crane type FCC 300 was already installed on a fixed foundation pedestal directly on quayside. In order to further increase their crane operator skills Bothra Shipping Group recently installed a new training classroom equipped with a Liebherr LiSIM simulator. The simulator offers the original Liebherr crane controls and is equipped with simulations software for both crane types, mobile harbour cranes and ship cranes.
SC Ports reports record April for container volumes
As previously announced, SCPA has moved 1.8 million TEUs since the 2017 fiscal year began last July. The Port achieved the strongest April on record, with 189,315 TEUs handled last month, and exceeded April 2016 volumes by 20 percent. It was the second-highest single month in SCPA history, slightly behind the record 192,411 TEUs set in March.
Pier container, or box volume, is up 10 percent fiscal year to date. The Port handled 107,340 containers in April.
SCPA’s non-containerized cargo volumes in Charleston through April are 6 percent ahead of plan, totaling 689,220 breakbulk tons since June. The Port handled 54,426 tons last month.
Inland Port Greer rail moves were the strongest April on record, with 11,125 rail moves last month. Greer has experienced tremendous growth this fiscal year, with 95,999 rail moves to date.
“A record-breaking April in our container business segment as well as at Inland Port Greer is great news for the Port,” said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. “Our growth is broad-based with a good import-export balance, and while we expect to see container trade growth moderate over the foreseeable future, the Port is well-positioned to surpass our volume goals this fiscal year.”
Board Action
The Board adopted a resolution authorizing the development of a new SCPA headquarters building on the site of the Wando Welch Terminal in Mt. Pleasant. The new building is expected to open in November 2018.
Successful maiden call of COSCO Development
On Saturday SCPA welcomed the maiden call of the COSCO Development, the largest vessel ever to call the U.S. East Coast. The Port completed 2,910 crane moves on the vessel, the second-highest number of moves in SCPA history, before it sailed on Sunday evening.
“The arrival of the COSCO Development at East Coast ports was a milestone in our industry, and a reflection of the importance of our efforts to be big ship ready,” Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. “Our port and maritime community handled the maiden voyage of the COSCO Development with ease, and we look forward to efficiently handling many more vessels of the same size in the future.r
First mega container ship to Haifa Port
This ship, part of the weekly service line operated by the 2M Alliance (Maersk and MSC), links the ports of South Korea, China and Singapore to Haifa Port, and from there continues to the Adriatic ports. It entered the Carmel Terminal on sunrise last Friday, where it was operated by 4 STS cranes with an average productivity of 120 containers per ship hour.
In order to prepare for the arrival of such vessels, two new Kocks STS cranes were built at the Carmel Terminal, with arms suitable for transporting 20 + 1 lines of containers across the ship. These were constructed on the dock and are now fully operational, joining six other STS cranes in the terminal. Furthermore, three new Konecranes RMG cranes have been added at the storage area of the terminal, where they complement an existing 15-crane array.
Eshel Armoni, Haifa Port Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented: “Haifa port in currently the only port in Israel that can host such large vessels, both in terms of infrastructure and operational efficiency. To watch a ship as the MSC Cristina enters our Carmel Terminal makes me feel very proud”