Peel Ports Group has awarded a multi-million pound contract to Shanghai-based Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co (ZPMC) to supply mega container cranes for its new Liverpool2 development.
An initial order for five ship-to-shore (STS) mega-max quay cranes and 12 cantilever rail-mounted gantry cranes (CRMGs) has been placed with the Chinese manufacturer for Phase 1 of the development; a further three STS cranes and 10 CMRGs will be supplied for Phase 2, providing an ultimate capacity of over 1m teu
According to Peel Ports, the £300m (US$505m) investment programme to expand and develop the existing Port of Liverpool will see Liverpool2 become the UK’s largest transatlantic deep-sea port and container terminal. Once completed in late 2015, it will be able to accommodate most of the world’s current fleet of container vessel types, offering shipping lines a unique opportunity to connect ships of up to 13,500 teu directly to the heart of the UK.
Equipped with driver-assist automation, the new STS cranes will have a twin-lift, 24 containers across outreach over stacks up to 10 units high and be capable of handling two vessels of 380 m length simultaneously. The single-lift semi-automated and remotely controlled CRMGs will have a one-over six 50 tonne lift capacity across a 13 container span.
Together the cranes will reduce the time taken to transfer containers from port to road or rail, with the ability to operate at speeds in excess of 30 mph and in wind speeds of up to 55 mph (88 kmph).
“The specification set out by Peel Ports was extremely demanding. It is clear their ambition to set new standards in port handling technology is a serious one. The combination of deep water and cutting edge technologies sets a new standard for ports innovation in Europe,” said Mr Liu Qizhong, senior vice president, ZPMC.
The cranes are part of an investment in state-of-the-art quayside facilities and support technology, including a fully-integrated Navis N4 terminal operating system (TOS), auto-gates and ABB equipment controls. Together, the investments will make Liverpool2 one of the most operationally efficient and modern terminals in Northern Europe, claims the company.
Mark Whitworth, chief executive of Peel Ports, said: “We have anticipated the future demands and growth of the industry to ensure that our investment in infrastructure and technology is both flexible and adaptable to the current and future delivery-critical needs of our customers”.
“Integral is the aim of achieving energy efficiency and reduction in carbon emissions. In addition, a key benefit of the enhanced operations when the facility is completed will be the significant increase in cargo capacity, which will also stimulate the economy of the North-west and further afield.”
