Kalmar raising the game in Barcelona

Kalmar has been awarded the contract to increase the operating height of three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes by six metres for Terminal de Contenidors de Barcelona, S.L. (TCB) in Spain.

The project has been initiated in anticipation of increased container traffic brought about by the arrival of larger vessels at the Port of Barcelona. The order was signed in April and work is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2014, with completion expected by the end of the year.

The cranes, originally provided by another supplier, will be heightened by Kalmar’s Crane Upgrades team in the region. The scope includes the engineering works and co-ordination of the project through to completion. Heightening an STS crane, which can weigh up to 2000 tonnes, involves the use of a specialist jacking device in order to insert heightening construction and raise the whole crane by six metres, reaching 47m under spreader. Additionally, to maintain the rigidity of the structure, the sill beam is strengthened and braces are installed on the waterside portal frame.