GT USA, working with Konecranes, has taken delivery of five new rubber-tired gantry cranes at the Port of Wilmington.
The cranes from the Finnish company will strengthen the port’s operational efficiency and increase overall productivity, a release stated.
As part of an initial investment of $100 million, the Kone RTG cranes are all-electric and reduce pollution.
At seven containers wide and five high, the cranes will transform the yard space into an efficient stacking system.
Eric Casey, CEO of GT USA Wilmington, said: “The addition of these advanced crane systems at the Port of Wilmington underlines our commitment to further strengthen our operations at the terminal. Since taking over operations at the port it has been our key goal to significantly improve performance for the benefit of our partners and customers. We continuously review our operational procedures to enhance the investment we are making in our facility and to strengthen the efficiency of operations and maximize productivity. The new RTG cranes will provide greater flexibility in their operations. This will help speed up the terminal operations and create even better value for our customers.”
This equipment is the first part of a phased delivery to develop an identified container yard. The cranes will be delivered on-site fully assembled by Konecranes and will be ready to enter operations once the yard densification project is complete. This project, scheduled to be completed in late fall, will effectively double the current yard capacity.
Gulftainer, a part of a private company based in the United Arab Emirates, operates the Port of Wilmington under a long-term lease. The port had been operated by Diamond State Port Corporation, a State of Delaware entity.
The port had been losing money, with the state making investments in trying to keep Wilmington competitive. in a highly competitive environment along the Delaware River.
Longer-term plans call for a container port directly on the Delaware River at the former DuPont Edgemoor site. Legislation that according to public officials in upriver states, legislation before Congress would give the new port an unfair advantage.
