Yilport to Upgrade Puerto Bolívar with 24 New Cranes

Ecuador’s first deep sea terminal, Yilport Puerto Bolívar, has placed an order for 6 ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 18 electrified rubber-tired gantry (E-RTG) cranes with an aim to boost the terminal’s capabilities.

Yilport Puerto Bolívar has ordered the equipment from Mitsui E&S Machinery as part of its modernization and expansion project. The cranes will be delivered in three shipments to support increasing volumes and modernization plans of Yilport Puerto Bolívar.

In the first phase, two STS cranes and six RTG cranes are expected to be delivered in the last quarter of 2019. The second and third deliveries to include 4 STS and 12 RTG cranes will be shipped in the first half of 2020.

The first 2 STS cranes will have a reach capacity of 62 meters and 22 rows, designed to serve 14,000 TEU vessels. The remaining STS cranes will have a 67 meters 24 rows out-reach capacity, which will allow them to serve the largest containerships carrying up to 20,000 TEUs.

E-RTG cranes will be 1 over 6 high and 7+1 wide to handle the yard operations. All 18 E-RTG cranes will be fitted with state-of-the-art technologies and equipment, according to the port operator.

“When we acquired Yilport Puerto Bolívar, we committed to bringing state-of-the-art technology, infrastructure, and equipment to Ecuador. Development is a never-ending job for us, so we are more than happy to empower our terminal with the world’s most advanced crane equipment from Mitsui,” Robert Yuksel Yildirim, the Chairman of YILPORT Holding, said.

In addition to the arrival of 2 state-of-the-art mobile harbor cranes (MHC) in May 2017, the new STS and E-RTG cranes will enhance Yilport Puerto Bolívar’s equipment portfolio. The company’s investment is not only limited to STS and RTG. MHC, terminal tractor, reach stacker, and empty handlers are also on the way to expand existing equipment capacity of Yilport Puerto Bolívar.