Crane relocation on the cards at DCT

An urgent decision is being made on relocating ship-toshore (STS) cranes at the Durban container terminal (DCT), which would lead to the prime berth 205 being decommissioned for about two days, according to Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) terminal executive, Hector Danisa. As FTW previously reported, two Impsa cranes, 517 and 518, were damaged on berth 204 at the DCT during the gale force winds experienced in Durban on July 4. Crane 518 was the less seriously damaged of the two and was repaired and placed back into operation approximately two weeks ago. To avoid further disrupting operations on the remainder of berth 204, crane 517 was back-slipped into the terminal’s stacking yard in order for its more extensive repairs to be effected. The repairs to crane 517 were expected to be completed by last Friday (August 3). “However,” said Danisa, “TPT is keen to use this opportunity to carry out the long-desired relocation of one of the Impsa cranes to the end of the North Quay – berth 205 – which will allow the larger Liebherr cranes on the same berth to be in the middle of the berth where they can provide better service to the bigger, higher-stacked vessels. “The challenge is that this relocation would require decommissioning of the prime berth 205 for approximately two days, which the terminal and shipping lines can ill afford at this point in time. DCT is already undergoing berth and equipment upgrades that in the short-term are affecting capacity, but in the long-term will have substantial benefits for TPT and its customers.” Danisa stressed that terminal management had committed to making an urgent decision regarding a suitable date for relocation of crane 517. “Even if relocation is deemed unfeasible,” he added, “TPT will still be pursuing all other avenues to ensure that the current backlog from wind and crane damage is cleared.” CAPTION: Hector Danisa ... pursuing all avenues.