Cranes enhance ICTSI’s PNG ops
The new cranes will contribute to the South Pacific International Container Terminal’s market leader positioning in the national and international logistics chain
First PNG quay cranes South Pacific International Container Terminal, a unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. at the Port of Lae, receives Papua New Guinea’s first ship-to-shore cranes — currently the largest port equipment in the country today. Above photo shows the cranes' arrival at Lae Tidal Basin aboard the Zhen Hua 28 last 29 November 2022. | Photograph courtesy of ICTSI
Two new ship-to-shore or STS cranes purchased by the Razon-led International Container Terminal Services, Inc. have already been delivered to Port of Lae in Papua New Guinea. These cranes will render ICTSI's South Pacific International Container Terminal capable of handling larger box ships.
The new Post-Panamax cranes, deemed the current largest port equipment in the Papua New Guinea container terminal, were built by the Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. with a reach of up to 17 rows across. They can easily service vessels of up to 6,000 TEUs and is part of ICTSI's ongoing program to strengthen and enhance overall operational efficiency.
According to Robert Maxwell, ICTSI South Pacific CEO, the new cranes will contribute to SPICT's market leader positioning in the national and international logistics chain.
Major milestone
"ICTSI is very proud to have delivered another major milestone in Papua New Guinea after delivering the country's very first quay cranes at our SPICT facility. With improved productivity, the Port of Lae will soon become an important transshipment hub for the Pacific island's region," he stressed.
Using the cranes, shipping lines can expect quayside productivity gains and shorter port stays.
Further, the terminal will soon be able to facilitate direct calls by larger vessels operating in the major trade routes, which in turn would reduce costs for both importers and exporters in the region.
"As we plant the seeds to create sustainable port cities and communities, it is our hope that this new equipment will further sustain Papua New Guinea's economic growth and expand international trade over the coming years," Maxwell added.
Once the STS cranes are deployed, one of the mobile harbor cranes currently at SPICT will be transferred to the Motukea International Terminal in Port Moresby, thereby also increasing operational efficiency for both terminals.
Cummins power generators
Earlier this year, ICTSI South Pacific invested in two 2.5-Megawatt Cummins power generators to ensure constant power supply in its Lae terminal and procured seven new truck trailers in Lae and three units in Motukea as part of additional investment to support the STS cranes' increased productivity.