Syria set for first container cranes due to ICTSI order

Syria set for first container cranes due to ICTSI order Philippines-based global terminal operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. has ordered two Liebherr LHM 400 mobile harbor cranes for its new Tartous container terminal concession in Syria.
   The units, scheduled for delivery on July 1, will feature a 41-ton lifting capacity under the spreader and the ability to serve Panamax dimension vessels with up to 13 rows of containers on deck. They are the first cranes to be ordered for such duty in Syria, where container handling has traditionally been undertaken by geared vessels.
   Two ship-to-shore gantries are expected to be ordered soon by Tartous General Port Co., scheduled for delivery in 2008.
   ICTSI officially signed the 10-year operating concession for Tartous International Container Terminal (TICT) in November, beating competition from CMA CGM, and joint bids from OPM and PWC Logistics (rebranded Agility), as well as from Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport and Gulf Stevedoring.
   Located on the North Quay, Pier B in the port, the concession site comprises 540 meters (1,772 feet) of quay with a draft of up to 13 meters (42.7 feet) alongside and a 250,000-square-meter terminal area. Operations are scheduled to commence in May and ICTSI said it plans to invest $37 million in the new container terminal over the lifetime of the concession.