APL container cranes for Kaohsiung terminal

APL, Singapore's NOL container unit, is installing four 90-metre-high gantry cranes that will increase cargo capacity at its terminal by more than 10,000 TEU from July.

"This is a significant milestone for us," said APL north Asia president Ken Glenn. "It demonstrates our commitment to this market and to customers who need reliable service in and out of Taiwan."

A specialised vessel delivered the four 1,650-ton cranes to Kaohsiung which will be partially submerged, enabling them to roll ashore at Berths 68 and 69. After installation, testing and certification, they are expected to start work in two months.

The cranes will replace outdated equipment and provide new capabilities that include a lift capacity of up to 75 tons, an outreach of 22 rows to span the widest containerships as well as a twin-lift capability to handle two containers at once.

"We'll greatly improve productivity thanks to this investment," said APL vice president Jeff Theobald. "This prepares us for bigger ships and growth in the market."

The installation will prepare APL for the arrival of its first 10,000-TEU vessels in the next two years. Large ships provide economies of scale to container carriers. But they also require landside improvements such as larger cranes.

Of the investment, port manager Hsiao Ding-Hsun said: "They've been our partner for more than 30 years, introduced the first postpanamax cranes to the port and now they're making a significant improvement in productivity and terminal throughput."

Source: www.schednet.com