Cargo Business Techwire

Friday, June 5, 2015

Kalmar to extend Antwerp ship-to-shore cranes for super-sized ships

Cargotec company Kalmar has been contracted by DP World Antwerp Gateway to heighten the three ship-to-shore cranes to help accommodate larger vessels entering the port.

As part of the agreement, Kalmar will extend the cranes, which have been operational since 2005, by 6 meters or about 19.5 feet, the Cargotec statement said. The company will also be responsible for planning, engineering, and carrying out the heightening work and commissioning.

Kalmar will also install consequential structural reinforcements in crane travel and trolley travel direction.

"Today's challenges in the port industry evolve around capacity and more and more upon

capability," said DP World Antwerp Gateway CEO Rob Harrison. "With professional planning and execution...disruption on the terminal's operational efficiency during the project can be minimized."

In order to carry out the project, Kalmar plans to insert leg extensions under the portal beams in the existing flange junctions.

Additionally, the company said it would make use of jacking towers and hydraulic jacks, including all bracings for horizontal forces to heighten the crane structure while ensuring optimum safety during the process.

The contracted work is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2016.