17-Jan-2002

A further six Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs) and two Ship-to-Shore Gantry Cranes (SSGCs) arrived at the Port of Felixstowe on 15th January 2002, as part of an order placed with Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC) of Shanghai, for a total of ten RTGs and two SSGCs. With the delivery of the remaining four RTGs, scheduled for February 2002, the Port will boast a total of 78 RTGs and 25 SSGCs. The Port also has options for further RTGs and SSGCs with ZPMC.

The cranes have been transported by sea from China, a journey of nine weeks, throughout which they were specially braced against bad weather and heavy seas. Once unloaded, it will be necessary to remove the sea-bracings to allow the cranes to be checked and fitted out. Following full commissioning tests, it is anticipated that all cranes will be fully operational within a short period of time. The new shipside cranes, to be located at the northern end of Trinity Terminal, will be the largest in the Port, with a lift height of 37 metres above the quay, and heavy lift capacity of 85 tonnes. Each is capable of handling containers stowed 22 wide, and is equipped with a twin-lift capability.

The new cranes and RTGs follow a programme of significant investment in equipment at the Port in recent months.

The new RTGs will be capable of stacking containers one over five high, and straddling seven wide plus a roadway. The existing four-wheel Paceco machines at the southern end of Trinity Terminal, which is being converted, will be replaced by new 16 wheel machines. Mid-2001 saw the delivery of eight RTGs to the Port, manufactured by Fantuzzi Reggiane in Sicily. The new 16 wheel machines increase the stacking height at the southern end of Trinity Terminal from three to five containers, boosting capacity by 60,000 TEUs per annum.

The electrical systems for both types of cranes have been manufactured by Siemens in Holland and are based on AC motors, powered by thyristor inverters.