Crane order brings hope to Durban

First new machine arrives in 16 months On order for Durban - IMPSA has supplied quayside gantry cranes like the one pictured here to terminals in various parts of the world including Brazil, Mexico, USA, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Argentina. Terry Hutson SA PORT Operations has placed an order for three new cranes for the Durban Container Terminal from an Argentine manufacturer. This follows hot on the heels of Sapo’s purchase of three second-hand shoreside container gantry cranes from the ECT Container Terminal in Rotterdam, which are expected to be in service in Durban by the end of the year. The order for the new machines was placed last week with the crane specialist IMPSA Port Systems. Delivery of the first crane is scheduled in 16 months followed by the other two in 22 months time. A shortage of cranes and other infrastructure is considered one of the reasons for low productivity at the Durban terminal and the six additional gantries will make an enormous difference in this regard. In terms of Transnet’s policy, that the successful contractor shall be 30 % owned by a black economic empowerment company (BEE), IMPSA will make use of local South African BEE sub-contractors for the manufacture of the main structures, electrical installation and erection of the giant machines. Manufacture and assembly will take place in South Africa with an IMPSA team of engineers and technicians stationed in the country to ensure quality standards are maintained. The new cranes will have an outreach (over the ship) of 45m with a back reach (over the quayside) of 19m. Hoist height from quay level to under the spreader is 34m with a height below quay level (i.e. reach into the ship) of 14m. The cranes will be able to lift 40t with spreader or 65t with hook and general cargo. Ships with containers stacked up to 16 rows across their width will be able to be serviced with the new cranes.