The Port Elizabeth Container Terminal’s (PECT) equipment woes will lessen from this day forth as equipment manufacture Liebherr delivered two new mobile harbour cranes offloaded from vessel Happy Dragon after sailing 20 days. 

Transnet Port Terminal’s Acting Chief Executive, Michelle Phillips said, “Having lost an entire crane due to gale force winds really set us back. The arrival of these two modern cranes will ensure that our promise to industry is realised”. She added that the cranes arrived at a critical time when the company’s terminals nationwide were prioritising the movement of much needed goods in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and abroad. “We are at the start of the 2020 Citrus season and we are very pleased that we are able to contribute positively towards the growth of this economy, especially during these challenging times,” said Phillips.  

Modern and highly efficient, the cranes have multi use capability, can lift up to 104 tons and move up and down the quayside according to berth activity – boasting an ability to handle new Panamax container and Cape size bulk vessels alike. They are also designed for versatile and efficient cargo handling. “A simulator has been onsite for the past month with Liebherr providing training to our employees which was built in our purchase arrangement – and we are quite impressed with the skills employees are demonstrating,” said Phillips. She added that both customers and employees had been looking forward to these two pieces of equipment, which arrived as semi knocked down units. “We look forward to the commissioning of these cranes and to an improved operation in the PECT”.

The mobile harbour cranes are part of Transnet Port Terminal’s R2 billion-equipment investment this year alone and are a response to industry calls for equipment that will improve performance across its operations.