The ZHEN HUA No.23 cuts an impressive image as it sails into Pier 1 container terminal to deliver two rail-mounted gantry cranes purchased by Transnet Port Terminals for R36 million each. The cranes can be seen at the front of the vessel, although dwarfed
[DURBAN, South Africa
- 11 April 2009] - When the ZHEN HUA
No.23 entered Durban harbour in South Africa on Saturday, 11 April 2009 around 07h00, it attracted
considerable attention due to its immense size of 245 metres long and its beam
of 40 metres. Equally interesting were the six pre-assembled harbour cranes
weighing a total of 2,540 tonnes, which provided an impressive sight onboard
the vessel as it sailed in.
The vessel is purpose-built to transport abnormal
project cargo. Its cargo included two rail mounted gantry (RMG) cranes weighing
285 tonnes each and purchased by Transnet Port Terminals for R36 million a
piece. The cranes will be used to improve port-rail efficiency within the busy
Pier 1 container terminal. The vessel also carried four ship-to-shore cranes
weighing 985 tonnes each, destined for the Port
of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
All of the cranes were manufactured by the Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery
Company (ZPMC) in China.
Michelle Phillips, Business Unit Executive at the Pier
1 container terminal, said once commissioned by the end of May the two rail cranes
for Pier 1 terminal would be used to transfer containers between internal road
vehicles and rail wagons more quickly and easily.
Said Phillips, "This will substantially increase the
turnaround of containers to and from the terminal.
Previously the rail wagons were offloaded with reach
stackers, which is a much slower process. In keeping with Pier 1's positioning
as a high performance container terminal using only world-class equipment,
Transnet Port Terminals made this total investment of R72 million in an effort
to lower logistics costs and reduce the overall cost of doing business."
The cranes can straddle three rail lines and train
sets simultaneously and travel the full length of the 810 metre facility,
unlike reach stackers which are only able to serve one rail line at a time. They
are also able to load directly onto special purpose trailers, which are then
transported directly to the container stacks.
The ZHEN HUA No.23's visit included a huge logistical
effort, from extensive pre-arrival coordination between Transnet Port
Terminals, Transnet National Ports Authority and ZPMC, to diverting all
container traffic to the neighbouring Durban
container terminal. The vessel was granted priority access so it could sail in
immediately and berth its bulky body at the terminal without disruption from
other vessels.
Phillips said while the vessel itself was interesting,
it was the benefits promised by its Durban
cargo which were of real interest.
"These cranes are among the final investments which
form part of phase one of Transnet's Pier 1 container terminal expansion plans.
This phase has seen Transnet provide additional capacity of 720 000 TEU to the Port of Durban. Phase two is at feasibility
stage and aims to convert Salisbury
Island to create
additional capacity of 800 000 TEU's," she said.
The cranes' commissioning process starts on 16 April
and they are expected to be fully operational by the end of May.
The ZHEN HUA No.23 vessel left Shanghai, China on 14
March 2009 and was originally scheduled to arrive in Durban on Good Friday, 10
April. Its entry had to be delayed by a day due to strong winds. It will remain
in the port for six days.
Issued by: Jozi Donjeany
Simeka TWS
Communications
Tel.
+2731 203 9800
Cell: +27 79898 2211
jozid@simekatws.co.za
On behalf of: Lunga
Ngcobo
GM: Corporate Comms
Transnet Port Terminals
Tel. +27 31 308 8333
lunga.ngcobo@transnet.net