NWSA to Order Four More Container Cranes

The Northwest Seaport Alliance has approved a USD 52 million purchase of four more container cranes to join four others already on order for Husky Terminal in the South Harbor.

Additionally, the alliance approved of an additional investment of USD 2.9 million in Seattle and Tacoma terminal improvements at Terminal 18 in the North Harbor and the West Hylebos Log Yard and Pierce County Terminal in the South Harbor.

“As the alliance, we can invest holistically in our facilities to ensure they remain competitive in this fast-changing industry,” Dick Marzano, co-chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance, said.

“These improvements will help us serve our customers better and continue to create the trade-related jobs so vital to our state,” Marzano added.

The new cranes, to be built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry (ZPMC) in China, will be capable of serving ultra-large container vessels with an outreach of 24 containers and a lift height of 165 feet above the pier deck.

Construction is underway at Husky Terminal to reconstruct Pier 4 to align it with Pier 3, creating a contiguous 2,960-foot berth. These improvements will allow two 18,000-TEU ships to dock at the same time.

The reconstructed berth will also include conduit for future shore power to allow ships to plug into electricity while at dock.

Construction and the first four cranes are estimated to be concluded in 2018, and the additional four cranes are scheduled to arrive in 2019.