Freeport takes delivery of quayside cranes

Malta Freeport Terminals has taken delivery of four new ZPMC super post-Panamax quayside cranes, an investment of €24.5 million, which have been installed on the north quay of Terminal Two.

The freeport said it is one of the first terminals in Europe to invest in tandem cranes such as these.

The cranes, among the world's largest, have a lifting capacity of 80 tonnes, an outreach of 65.5 metres capable of handling 23 container-wide vessels and have a lifting height under spreader above rail of 43 metres.

With the full commissioning of these cranes, Malta Freeport Terminals will be equipped with 23 cranes in all: 19 super post-Panamax and four post-Panamax.

The installation of tandem cranes is providing new logistical opportunities and the company is implementing all the necessary measures for the yard to be capable of effectively handling the output of these cranes, the company said on Thursday.

To be able to accommodate cranes of this magnitude, Malta Freeport Terminals had to undertake various infrastructural works at the north quay, including the placing of load distribution plates under the full length of the landside and seaside crane rail to support the load transmitted by the new Quayside Cranes.

Additionally, Malta Freeport carried out dredging works by the quay.

With the investment in these cranes, Malta Freeport Terminals can effectively handle containerships of over 13,500 TEUs at its facilities.

Since privatisation in 2004, Malta Freeport Terminals has invested €92.3 million in new equipment, modernisation of existing equipment and infrastructural works including the development of the container yard and dredging works.

The company plans to develop its infrastructure further and is to acquire other equipment at an investment of another €145.5 million.

Business opportunities are expected to increase remarkably in the coming years. Traffic volume has increased by 59.6 per cent since being privatised to reach 2.33 million TEUs last year. This was among the highest percentage increases in traffic volumes in the Mediterranean transhipment market.

Despite the international recession, during the first six months of this year Malta Freeport Terminals has managed to maintain last year's traffic volumes and a similar amount of throughput level is expect to be handled this year.