New crane boosts operations at Australian port

Operations at the Port of Townsville have ramped up a notch with the arrival of a US$1.8 million mobile crane to handle bulk ore concentrate as well as containers, according to Townsville Bulletin.

The crane, a Liebherr LHM1300, can lift 27.9 tonnes at a 27.9m radius or 50 tonnes at a 32m radius and has outriggers and wheels, enabling it to be moved from berth to berth.

It has been brought from Melbourne by Northern Stevedoring Services to meet growing demand for its services at the port where it joins a Portainer gantry crane operated by the company.

NSS operations manager Jos Pascoe said the crane would enable better utilisation of Berth 3, the busiest at the port, and Berth 4, the cement berth.

"The fact that it is mobile enables us to utilise Berth 4 for container ships when it is not required for cement handling."

NSS general manager Todd Emmert said the crane offered customers improved productivity and better berthing options for vessels without cranes, as well as improved capacity to handle cargo and additional mitigation against the risk of crane breakdown.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)