Klaipeda takes delivery of second STS crane

The second of three post-Panamax Konecranes ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes for Klaipedos Smelte, in the Port of Klaipeda, was delivered at the beginning of the month (April) to handle increasing volumes of containers, including those from Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which is replacing its feeder service with direct calls.

Seen as important components of the port’s plans to become a regional container transhipment hub, the cranes were ordered last year when the Port Authority completed the construction of an additional quay for Klaipedos Smelte.  Costing around €7.3m (US$10m) each, the first crane was delivered last autumn, while the third is expected to reach Klaipeda this summer.

“Container handling in Klaipeda Seaport is growing rapidly, thus improving conditions for accepting larger containerships.  It is forecast that growth trends are going to continue; we are going to continue the improvements of container handling conditions,” explained director general of Klaipeda Seaport, Arvydas Vaitkus.