Georgia Port Authority (GPA) in Savannah, USA, has exercised its option and ordered two Super Post Panamax Ship-to-Shore container cranes from Konecranes VLC. The value of this order is not disclosed, but typically these cranes cost USD 5.5 - 6.5 million each. Delivery is due in spring 2005.
The investment is part of GPA’s plan to expand its container handling capacity with a new quay, CB8. “Container Berth Eight will expand container capacity at the Port of Savannah by more than 20 percent,” said Doug J. Marchand, Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority. “When complete, the Port of Savannah will feature over 3 km in linear berthing space, thus increasing what is already the largest single terminal container facility anywhere on the coast from Maine to Texas.” The new quay will be ready and in operation in 2005.
GPA ordered two identical cranes in September 2001, which were delivered earlier in 2003. These two Super-Post Panamax Container Cranes, which are currently the world’s largest container cranes, have been in full operation since spring 2003 breaking new productivity records for STS Cranes in the port.
The new Super Post Panamax cranes will have a 65 ton lifting capacity and can handle ships of Super Post Panamax size or 22 containers wide. The cranes are capable of using the twinlift technique for highest production capacity. The crane structure is based upon Konecranes’ new BoxHunter modular design. The outreach of the cranes is 61 m, designed for the largest container vessels in the near future.
Container vessels have almost doubled in size in 40 years. Despite the larger vessels shipping lines demand fast turnaround times at the harbours which is also driving the development towards bigger and faster cranes serving the ships. The new cranes therefore play a strategic role when shipping lines decide on routing. KCI Konecranes’ engineering capability for top capacity container cranes gives a superior advantage in increasing the performance limits. KCI Konecranes maintenance services presence forms an integral part of the Group’s offering.
“GPA has expanded rapidly since the early 90’s. During these years KCI Konecranes has delivered more than 20 RTG Cranes and 9 STS Cranes to GPA.” said Mika Mahlberg, Director, Container Cranes, Konecranes VLC. “The Georgia Ports Authority has become one of the biggest customers for Konecranes VLC in container handling equipment.”
Further information can be obtained from
Konecranes VLC Corporation
Mika Mahlberg, Director, Container Cranes, phone: +358-20 427 2630
or e-mail [email protected]
This press release together with a downloadable high-resolution picture is available at our web site www.konecranes.com at “Latest News”.
Konecranes VLC Corporation (Very Large Cranes) belongs to the KCI Konecranes Group’s Special Cranes Business Area and specializes in port, terminal and shipyard cranes.
KCI Konecranes, headquartered in Finland, is a world leading engineering group specialising in advanced overhead lifting solutions and maintenance services. Group activity is organised along three business areas: Maintenance Services (47% of Group sales) Standard Lifting Equipment (26%) and Special Cranes (27%). KCI Konecranes is competing in all parts of the industrial and harbour crane market. In 2002, Group sales totalled EUR 714 million with over 4400 employees in 34 countries all over the world.
Georgia Ports Authority is a public corporation existing for the express purpose of developing, maintaining and operating ocean and inland river ports within the state of Georgia. The Georgia Ports Authority owns and operates the Port of Savannah, the Port of Brunswick, the Bainbridge Inland Barge Terminal and the Columbus Inland Barge Terminal. As a multimillion dollar enterprise, the Georgia Ports Authority directly employs approximately 750 people but is responsible for a significantly higher level of employment throughout the state. The Authority is financially self-sufficient.
