Port Everglades has commissioned three new Super Post-Panamax gantry cranes from Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. Inc. (ZPMC) on 22 March, as part of its mega-expansion project.
[s2If is_user_logged_in()]The new cranes are the largest of their kind in the world at 53m high and valued at US$13.8 million each. “These cranes symbolise a historic transformation taking place at Port Everglades that is changing the landscape of our community. We are adding new cargo berths, deepening and widening our waterways, expanding our cargo and rail capacity all while paying close attention to the needs of our fragile environment,” said Port Everglades chief executive and port director.
Each crane has the ability to handle containers stacked eight high from a ship’s deck and reach 22 across. Port Everglades’ existing seven gantry cranes in the Southport area, where most of the containerised cargo operations occur, are 46m high and limited to containers stacked six high and can reach 16 across.
ZPMC designed and manufactured the cranes as special “low-profile” models that extend out rather than up to avoid the flight path restrictions of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), which is less than two miles away. “They are reportedly the largest low-profile container gantry cranes ever manufactured,” pointed out Port Everglades in its announcement.
Crane Specifications
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In addition to acquiring the new equipment, the existing low-profile Post-Panamax gantry cranes in Southport will be upgraded to a lift capacity of 65 tonnes from the current 46.5 tonnes that add the capability to perform twin-picks (lifting two containers at a time).
With the cargo terminals proximity to a sensitive marine environment, all the cranes are fitted with lighting that reduces the impact on nearby nesting sea turtles through lower light levels and limiting the amount of lights that move beyond the work area, according to the statement.
The new cranes are part of the largest expansion project of the port, which will cost US$471 million and is expected to be complete by late 2022. The ongoing project includes lengthening the Southport Turning Notch from 274m to 731.5m to allow for up to five new cargo berths, which will add approximately 730,000TEU to the port’s capacity.
Port Everglades is also working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to deepen its navigation channels from 12.8m to 14.6-15.3m and to widen narrower sections of the channel for safer vessel passage. In the meantime, the Port received a “New Start” designation in 2020, and anticipates the deepening and widening project to commence in 2023.
Florida’s port inaugurated its new cranes via a live-streamed ribbon-cutting ceremony, in which governmental and community leaders participated.
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