Two new electric-powered ship-toshore gantry cranes to be installed on Berth 6 at the Bridgetown Port, arrived here yesterday.
In a statement from the Barbados Port Inc. (BPI), chief executive officer David Jean-Marie said the cranes’ arrival was a major milestone in the construction of Berth 6, expected to be completed by July this year.
“These cranes are vital to our success and critical to our growth. The new cranes will complement the two existing gantry cranes in operation at Berths 4 and 5, substantially increasing our capacity and efficiency in cargo handling.”
Operations are under way to discharge and install the cranes, a process expected to extend over an 11-day period, with pre-unloading preparations at the berth and post discharge works.
Representatives from the crane manufacturers, Sany, are coordinating the cranes’ unloading and installation along with BPI’s terminal operations and engineering teams.
A safety exclusion zone, both land-side and marine, has been established in the immediate vicinity of Berth 6 while the operation is being executed. The statement further said no major disruptions to port or vessel operations were anticipated. BPI is also coordinating with Barbados Coast Guard personnel on managing the transit of marine traffic in and out of the Shallow Draught marina as an extended safety measure. The new berth will be dedicated to
container cargo ship operations. The investment in new and expanded infrastructure and equipment will also optimise space available to meet future berthing requirements and container throughput demands, said the statement. In addition to the 315-metre-long, 13-metre deep berth, there is an upland development package included in the project, comprising a 9.4-acres container yard and the installation of all requisite infrastructure to increase cargo handling capacity.
(PR)
