First Remote Control Gantry Cranes Arrive at Felixstowe

UK’s Port of Felixstowe has taken delivery of its first two remote control ship-to-shore gantry cranes.

The two new cranes, the 32nd and 33rd at the country’s largest container port, were delivered on the Zhen Hua 23 from Shanghai-listed equipment manufacturer Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co Ltd (ZPMC).

“These new cranes are the latest acquisition in our ongoing investment programme to provide the best equipment, infrastructure and systems for our customers. They will further enhance our capability to work multiple mega-vessels simultaneously,” Clemence Cheng, CEO of the Port of Felixstowe and Executive Director, Hutchison Ports, said.

Remote control quay cranes at Felixstowe “will improve the working conditions of the drivers, enhance safety and benefit communications within operational teams,” Cheng added.

In addition to the new cranes, the port is creating an additional 18,000 TEU of container storage capacity, upgrading its terminal operating system, raising the height of 10 ship-to-shore cranes on Trinity Terminal and has eight additional yard cranes on order for delivery in early 2019.

The new cranes are capable of working vessels with containers stowed 11-high and 24-wide on deck.