American Shipper reports that APMT’s cranes currently can reach across the deck of 13,000-TEU vessels to load and unload containers. The upgrade will allow the facility to handle 20,000-TEU vessels.
Excerpts from American Shipper:
ZPMC, the Chinese manufacturer of massive ship-to-shore cranes used at container terminals around the world, is in the process of raising 10 cranes at APM Terminals’ (APMT) Pier 400 at the Port of Los Angeles so they can reach across next-generation ultra-large container vessels that carriers are deploying on trunk routes to maximize transport efficiency and reduce operating costs.
ZPMC North America is using an industrial jacking system to install leg stubs on the cranes and increase their height by an additional 33 feet, making them the tallest port cranes in North America. The project, which began July 1, includes installing new energy-efficient LED lighting systems, repairing forestays and repositioning the cranes, the company announced Wednesday. So far, one crane adjustment has been completed and work on the second one is underway, officials said.
Jeff Rosenberg, vice president of sales and marketing for ZPMC Crane Services, said in an interview that ZPMC has subcontracted labor for the work to a contractor that uses mechanics belonging to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.