PORT OF LOS ANGELES CONSIDERS “LESS IMPOSING” GANTRY CRANES

PORT OF LOS ANGELES CONSIDERS “LESS IMPOSING” GANTRY CRANES

PORT OF LOS ANGELES CONSIDERS “LESS IMPOSING” GANTRY CRANES

   The port of Los Angeles is looking into ways to make its gantry cranes “less imposing,” in response to community concerns.
   The Californian port said that it is considering incorporation of Liebherr “collapsible cranes.” The gantry of the Liebherr cranes can be lowered to the ground when not in use.
   The port is reviewing the suitability of such cranes for its operations. Currently, the Liebherr cranes are more commonly used for vessels carrying 1,200 to 1,500 TEUs, a smaller generation vessel than typically calls in Los Angeles.
      “This is positive step in the process of finding a viable balance between operational needs of port clients and the desire of the community for less prominent crane structures,” said Nicholas Tonsich, president of the Los Angeles Board of harbor commissioners.
      In January 2003, delegates from the port of Los Angeles will travel to Miami to view Liebherr cranes in operation. Two port officials will determine the feasibility of the Liebherr cranes for Los Angeles’ heavy volume use on larger container vessels, considering productivity requirements and the crane manufacturer’s ability to meet the current Los Angeles quality and structural standards.
   “If feasible, the port will then recommend use of the Liebherr crane to its major global customers,” a spokesman for the port said.
   The port of Los Angeles has also initiated discussions with Zhen Hua Port Machinery Co., a Chinese crane manufacturer that is building the cranes for the proposed China Shipping terminal in the port of Los Angeles about the appearance of cranes. Zhen Hua Port Machinery has indicated that a construction modification of the gantry cranes on this facility may be possible to allow the crane arms to retract. Currently, the arms are stored in a semi-upright, 45-degree angle.
   As proposed, the new cranes would have retractable booms parallel to the ground and would retract back over the wharf when not in use. The resultant profile would be 150 to 180 feet in height rather than 300 feet for a fully extended, upright crane arm.
      “We look forward to receiving reports on these two options, and will take the feasibility reports into consideration as we plan for future facilities at the port of Los Angeles,” Tonsich said.