02-Oct-1999

Thamesport, one of the UK’s leading container terminals, recently took early delivery of its sixth quayside crane. The new twin-lift facility, able to work post-panamax vessels carrying containers 18 wide, arrived fully erect on Tuesday 7 September 1999. The crane, with a combined weight of 1,174 tonnes, was manoeuvred into position with a seamless transfer from barge to trailer to quayside. One week’s essential commissioning went smoothly and the crane is now fully operational.

Constructed in Ireland by Irish manufacturer, Liebherr Container Cranes, the crane was fully assembled in Tilbury before being transported by a flat top barge to Thamesport. Its twin-lift spreader handles two 20ft containers simultaneously and is rated at 70 tonnes ‘under the hook’ and 60 tonnes under the spreader. The crane’s ability to handle ships 18 containers wide enhances the port’s current handling capabilities, with the existing five ship-to-shore cranes handling vessels carrying containers 16 across.

Robin MacLeod, Thamesport’s Managing Director, says:

“The arrival of the sixth quayside crane is indicative of the commitment the port has towards growth and servicing the needs of customers. Not only can we offer port facilities for larger vessels, but the twin-lift spreader provides more flexible container handling operations.”

Crane specifications:

Supplier: Liebherr Container Cranes

Model: P172L Super

Weight: 60 tonnes under spreader, 70 tonnes under hook beam

Outreach: 52.5 metres from seaside rail

Type of spreader: Bromma twin-lift

Hoist speed: 50 metres/minute full load, 140 metres/minute empty

Trolley speed: 210 metres/minute

Drive system: Liebherr Digivert

Boom: Mono-beam truss type construction

10/2/99