New cranes for Thamesport

New cranes for Thamesport Thamesport in the United Kingdom on April 8 took delivery of its seventh ship-to-shore gantry crane and eight rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs).
   The ship-to-shore gantry crane, manufactured by Zhenhua Port Machinery Co. (ZPMC), standing 72 meters tall, can handle containers stowed 21-wide, with the ability to twin-lift containers to a maximum capacity of 85 tons. Following commissioning tests, it is anticipated the crane will be fully operational in six weeks.
   The eight RTGs, from Fantuzzi Reggiane in Italy, will be capable of stacking containers one over five high, as opposed to the one over four high capability of existing rail-mounted versions.
   'The new gantry crane will improve our ability to handle the latest generation of ultra-large containerships,” said Chris Lewis, chief executive officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd., which owns Thamesport. “With the U.K. facing increasing capacity constraints at deepwater container ports, Thamesport is unique in its ability to accommodate short-term growth in this essential market.'
   The additional RTGs will improve yard-handling capability and increase the speed of landside operations, he added.