SIMIC

Manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co Ltd (ZPMC) and with a reach of up to 17 rows across, the new Post-Panamax cranes can easily service vessels of up to 6,000 TEU and is part of ICTSI's ongoing programme to strengthen and enhance the overall operational efficiency at PNG's leading container terminal.

Robert Maxwell, ICTSI South Pacific CEO, stressed that the new cranes will contribute to SPICT's market leader positioning in the national and international logistics chain.

"With improved productivity, the Port of Lae will soon become an important transshipment hub for the Pacific islands region."

A company statement said that with the new equipment, shipping lines can expect quayside productivity gains and shorter port stays. The terminal will soon be able to facilitate direct calls by larger vessels operating in the major trade routes, which in turn would reduce costs for both importers and exporters in the region.

Once the STS cranes are deployed, one of the mobile harbour cranes currently at SPICT will be transferred to Motukea International Terminal (MIT) in Port Moresby, thereby also increasing the operational efficiency for both terminals.

Earlier this year, ICTSI South Pacific invested in two 2.5-Megawatt Cummins power generators to ensure constant power supply in its Lae terminal, and procured seven new truck trailers in Lae and three units in Motukea, as part of the additional investment to support the STS cranes increased productivity.

"Additional equipment such as empty container handlers (ECH) are expected to arrive in both terminals in 2023, same as two additional rubber tired gantries (RTG) for SPICT," the company statement added.