The new tower variant has been extended by 4.3 m compared to the short tower design. As a result, the height of the boom pivot point has been increased from 16.7 m to 21 m and the viewing height of the crane driver from 22 m to 26.3 m. Thanks to the modified crane geometry, terminal operators now have a Model 5 crane option that can load and unload vessels up to post-Panamax class with higher container stacks on deck. 

TPS responds to diverse customer requirements with a new Model 5 crane variant

With the introduction of the new Model 5 harbour crane variant, TPS is responding to feedback from terminal operators throughout the world, explains Andreas Moeller, Sales Director Harbour Cranes at Terex Port Solutions: “The Model 5 crane was well received by customers from the start. However, several terminal operators also expressed to us that they would like a Model 5 harbour crane that is even more flexible in terms of applications than the crane in its current short tower configuration.” Moeller continues: “With the introduction of the Model 5 crane with a high tower, we have again shown that we are acting for and with our customers – by quickly and consistently developing demand-appropriate products. With the new variant, we are now proving that we can also adapt these products just as quickly and consistently to specific new situations.”

Since 2013, Model 5 harbour crane has completed the medium-sized crane family

A year ago, with the introduction of the Model 5 harbour crane – offering maximum lifting capacity up to 125 t, radius up to 51 m and hoist speeds up to a maximum of 120 m/min – TPS completed the high end of its medium-sized crane family. Before then, this family consisted of the Model 3 and Model 4 harbour cranes, whose functional and compact design the Model 5 crane shares and combines with the operational capabilities of the even more powerful large crane family.

The naming ceremony was performed by TNPA’s Supply Chain General Manager, Ncumisa Nkanunu.

The contract for the design, construction and delivery of the grab hopper dredger was signed between TNPA and IHC Global Production, part of IHC Merwede, on 29 January 2013. The keel was laid on 20 August 2013 and the vessel will sail under her own keel to Durban, South Africa later this month.

The Italeni has been designed and built to achieve low maintenance costs. The vessel will replace the current grab hopper dredger, CRANE, which was recently equipped with a new grab crane. This new equipment will be transferred to the Italeni after her arrival in South Africa. The Italeni will be used mainly for maintenance work in various ports throughout the country.

The dredger was named after the battle of Italeni, which took place near the Ithala Mountains where the Zulu King Dingane defeated the Voortrekkers in 1838.

Tau Morwe, Chief Executive Transnet National Ports Authority, said: “Compliant with our strategic objectives, the new dredger will ensure that we have capacity ahead of demand, and provide spare dredging capacity for neighbouring ports. This collaboration is in line with TNPA’s Africa Strategy. “

Fer Tummers, Managing Director of IHC Merwede’s Dredging Division, said: “The Italeni is not the first vessel that IHC Merwede has built for TNPA. IHC Merwede has already proven itself to be a reliable and professional partner with the successful delivery of the trailing suction hopper dredger Isandlwana in 2010. 2

“We are also proud to be building a third vessel for TNPA, a 5,500m3 TSHD. This will be the largest vessel of its kind to operate in South Africa and a sign of our continuing successful cooperation.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to the TNPA, IHC Merwede is glad to be participating in economic developments in South Africa, by implementing a Supplier Development Plan to help improve local industry. This initiative will include the transfer of some of our knowledge and advanced technology to enhance the skills of the workforce within the region.”

Additional information

Name ITALENI

Type Grab hopper dredger

Customer Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA)

Builder IHC Global Production BV/IHC Holland BV

Length overall 62m

Breadth 15m

Photo: Nikolay Ivanov, project manager of the MTG Dolphin shipyard, Bulgaria congratulates Ncumisa Nkanunu, TNPA Supply Chain General Manager after she christened the Authorities new grab hopper dredger Italeni, yesterday (18 June 2014)  

The service is aimed at terminals that are finding it is becoming increasingly difficult to find replacement parts, service and support for their present legacy GPS systems.

Many Terminals have put major GPS upgrades on hold due to the general economic climate and many of the COSMOS equipped terminals are also pending the COSMOS Suite Redevelopment (CSR) project presently underway. Quite naturally they want to continue to operate without major change to the GPS infrastructure until this is finalised.

Working with COSMOS users, ITS has engineered a set of low cost replacement components to mount on the Container Handling Equipment (CHE). This approach allows Terminals to continue with their present system but to install a modern fully supported and reliable hardware platform when the legacy system requires service or replacement on a CHE by CHE basis.

The ITS solution connects to the existing RDT unit in exactly the same way as the legacy system. It is fully compliant with the COSMOS interface specifications including the same cable connections as the legacy system, making it truly swap compatible.

In addition the ITS solution is based on the proven G-POS tracking system and as such has many advantages over the legacy systems. As you would expect these include higher levels of position precision and the ability to upgrade with several existing functions that have proven terminal operation productivity benefits.

ITS offer options for equipment supply and service exchange to allow the type of service that most cost effectively fits in with individual terminals needs.

Having operated its’ first ship in September 1995, IT Management Systems have continuously evolved to manage the needs of a growing business, however in almost 20 years of operations, the terminal, its management and customers have not experienced a complete shut-down of activity in order to completely migrate to a state of the art industry standard Terminal Operation System (TOS).  An event that took place between the hours of 13,00 hrs. and 19,00 hrs., on Thursday June 12, a day that shall remain as a milestone in the history of the company.

All operational activity was suspended for a period in order to migrate all data records from the legacy system to NAVIS N4. The migration itself only took a few hours, with a final validation of a successful transfer taking place before operations recommenced, as planned at 19,00 hrs. with first three cranes being deployed, followed by a further three during the shift. Commencing June 13 / 01,00 hrs., MCT was ready to assume “normal” service.

Carmine Crudo, General Manager, whose responsibilities include IT Services commented: “… all businesses rely on modern, efficient IT Systems and we are no different. Given the size of the project, there is always the potential that there will be hiccups, with things going wrong. In this case, thanks to the detailed planning, training and expertise of the people the migration has been a complete success, right first time, on time and on budget. We are now dependent on the fruits of the training programme as users need to familiarize themselves with a new system and this has manifested itself during the first days generating a backlog, but I am confident that they will rise to the challenge and quickly develop their skillsets to maximize the benefits of the new system overall in favor of our valued customers. I would like to thank all involved in the project for their dedication and commitment in making this substantial business development a success namely MCT IT Services and all operatives, our partners DSP and NAVIS Corporation. IT Services will remain vigilant, whilst support staff will remain on site for a short while to cope with any eventuality. Thanks to them all for a job well done”.

Domenico Bagalà, Managing Director added: “adding 21st century technology to the already existing infrastructure can only serve to enhance an existing excellent product that is available to our customers. This investment will ensure that MCT continues to be ready to respond to the needs of large scale transshipment hub activity. The upgrade programme took place with more than 47,000 TEUs in yard, a number of ships completing operations and the regular demand ready to be berthed and operated upon full resumption of activity. Perhaps a slowdown in quay side performance was inevitable, initially and we thank our customers for their understanding. It has been a huge undertaking and we even had to manage one ship operation both with the old system and the new system to meet customer requirements”.