SCPA Orders 26 RTG Cranes to Support Container Volume Growth

To handle container volume growth at its terminals, US South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) has ordered 26 rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes from Finnish manufacturer Konecranes.

The cranes will be delivered to SCPA’s Wando Welch Terminal in the Port of Charleston and Inland Port Greer in 2019 and 2020.

Under a contract worth USD 46.4 million, the new RTGs will be delivered to the SCPA’s Wando Welch Terminal to support operation modernization plans and increase container yard capacity. Inland Port Greer will receive two of the new cranes to support its continuing volume growth.

The wharf modernization project, which would enable the facility to welcome larger ships, will soon be completed. The entire length of the terminal berth will return to full-time operation by the end of July.

“This makes our 6th and largest RTG order with Konecranes since 1998. We continue to return to Konecranes as their RTGs have proven to be best in class for their quality construction, operating characteristics and long-term serviceability,” Stevenson E. Kemp, Jr., PE Senior Director, Terminal Strategy, Facility Operations and Maintenance, said.

The RTGs on order have a lifting capacity of 50 tons while stacking 1-over-5 containers high and six plus truck lane wide. They will be equipped with technology which eliminates container sway to increase container handling performance. They will also be equipped with the auto-steering and truck lift prevention features, and they will have built-in readiness for special features like stack collision prevention and auto-truck guiding.

SCPA’s fiscal year-to-date volumes are nearly 2 percent higher than last year, with record-breaking container volumes handled in April. SCPA has moved 1.8 million TEUs since July, compared to 1.78 million during the same period last fiscal year.