Two new cranes for Hakata’s ICCT

With a net load rating of 40.6 tonnes each, the earthquake-resistant cranes will be able to handle 20 ft, 40 ft and 45 ft container stacks, 18 across and 15 high. The Y1.9215bn deal was officially approved at a meeting of the Fukuoka municipal government in mid-September.

ICCT is part of the Island City development project, sited on a 401.3 ha artificial island in the eastern area of Hakata Bay. Its C1 berth, the first of three planned deep-sea berths, went into operation in September 2003. The 330 m berth, which has a 14 m depth alongside, occupies 14.6 ha and can accommodate container ships of 60,000 dwt.

Due to growth in containerised shipments, however, the facility is already running at almost full capacity, handling 250,000 teu annually. Phase one construction of the second berth (C2), which will have a quay length of 350 m and a draught of 15 m, is continuing, with completion planned for spring of 2008.