Ghanaian port adds gantry cranes

Tema, Ghana

The Ghana government has ordered 15 gantry cranes as part of the USD1.5 billion Tema Port Expansion Project, according to a Modern Ghana report.

President Nana Akufo-Addo said the gantry cranes at Meridian Port Services are part of the largest port infrastructure expansion project in west and central Africa.

At the sod-cutting ceremony to mark the start of phase two of the project, Akufo-Addo said the investment in the port expansion was a signal to domestic and foreign investors that Ghana was open for business.

Meridian Port Services chief executive officer Mohamed Samara said the port would expand to 1 million sqm from the existing 270,000 sqm.

Jamaican port buys 12 Kalmar hybrid straddle carriers

Kingston, Jamaica

Kingston Freeport Terminal has ordered 12 Kalmar hybrid straddle carriers as part of a fleet renewal project. 

The new equipment is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of next year. 

Kingston Freeport Terminal, a joint venture between CMA CGM and China Merchants Port, already deploys Kalmar reachstackers, empty container handlers and terminal tractors.

As part of the agreement, Kalmar will also deliver a comprehensive spare parts package to support ongoing maintenance of the machines by local technicians.

Serge Lyzun, head of engineering and maintenance at the port says: “The new-generation hybrid machines will bring a range of benefits for our operations, in particular their ability to help us increase productivity while reducing equipment fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.”

Vietnamese port orders Konecranes mobile harbour crane

Haiphong, Vietnam

A generation 6 Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbour crane will start operations at Nam Dinh Vu Port in Haiphong in northeastern Vietnam in the first quarter of 2024.

Port operator Gemadept Corporation ordered the generation 6 crane to replace older model 4 Konecranes mobile harbour cranes.

“Our operation just keeps on growing and we need the latest equipment to support it,” says Gemadept deputy chief executive Do Cong Khanh.

“We will redeploy our previous Konecranes mobile harbour crane at one of our other terminals and increase capacity at Nam Dinh Vu.” 

The Generation 6 Konecranes Gottwald ESP.6 Mobile Harbor Crane has a working radius of up to 49 m and a maximum capacity of 125 T to serve container ships up to Panamax class. 

In comparison to the Model 4 crane, it has a higher tower cab for a wider view of vessel operations, stronger lifting capacity curves to improve handling rates and a higher lifting capacity for heavy cargo handling. 

The crane is powered by a modern diesel engine with optimised fuel consumption to minimise emissions. Training for on-site technicians is included in the order.