New container crane for Port Manatee
Port Manatee will obtain a new mobile harbor crane that will, for the first time, give it on-dock lift capabilities.
At the port authority board's August meeting, Port Manatee executive director David McDonald was authorized to negotiate the purchase and operating agreement for the new crane with Logistic USA Inc.
The port hopes to complete the deal in September, providing an operational crane to port users in time for the upcoming melon season, which begins in late November.
Officials said the plan is to work the agreement as a public-private partnership under which the crane would be titled to the port authority. The crane could be moved to multiple berth locations, as needed.
The crane would provide on-dock lift capacity for the first time in the port's 36-year history. Carriers calling the port have used self-loading vessels with cranes aboard the ships.
New container crane for Port Manatee
