Immediately after their inauguration the gantries were used for the first time on the 9,700 teu CMA CGM Orfeo on March 23, 2009 on an unusually cool and wet day for Khorfakkan.
“While we, like everyone else, have been affected by the current economic downturn, we have decided to move ahead with our plans for expansion, and this includes these new gantry cranes. When the ‘CMA CGM Orfeo’ called at KCT in September last year, it was the largest ship ever handled at the terminal. The fact that this is no longer the case illustrates the rising prevalence of large container ships (and) it is important that we continue to build for the future, and ensure that when the crisis has passed, Sharjah’s ports are ready and able to service these larger vessels,” said Peter Richards, Gulftainer Group director and general manage.
