Damaged cable delays relocation of Durban crane

Terry Hutson PLANS TO transfer a mobile crane from the Durban multi-purpose terminal to the adjacent container terminal have been delayed because of a damaged cable. One of the cables used for lifting purposes on the crane has worn badly and a replacement cable needs to be airfreighted from Australia, which means a delay of several weeks before the much-needed crane can enter service. A second under-utilised mobile crane is still to be relocated from Richards Bay's multi purpose terminal, because it requires stripping down prior to a Mediterranean Shipping Company vessel making a special call to collect and bring it to Durban. When both mobile cranes are available the plan is to utilise them alongside gantry cranes at two of the berths, providing the means to work fully cellular ships with three cranes at these two facilities.