PHILIPSBURG--The recently-acquired Terex Gottwald Model 6 Crane that arrived on the island from Germany at the end of August was put into operation at the harbour on October 15.
The crane offloaded containers from the motor vessel CMA CGM Marfret Guyane under the operation of Senior Crane Operator and Crane Supervisor Romeo Gumbs.
The Port’s staff and SSS Stevedoring Company personnel “were very pleased” with the effectiveness and efficiency of the new Terex Crane, a press release said on Sunday.
According to the release, the Port now possesses the largest mobile crane in the Northeastern Caribbean. It is part of the operations at the cargo section of Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities.
Port management thanked its customers and stakeholders for their support during the transitional phase of upgrading from the older version crane to the latest Model 6.
RBC Bank provided the financing for the new crane. The cargo section at Port St. Maarten is a 24/7 operation and provides a large part of the revenues generated by the Port, the release said.
After arrival of the crane at the end of August, assembly efforts by German Gottwald technicians and Port St. Maarten Gottwald certified crane experts started on-site. Gottwald engineers from Dusseldorf, Germany, remained onsite and have been monitoring the operation of the new crane closely.
The engineers are now working with the Port’s maintenance team conducting tutorial sessions about all crane operations and explaining in detail about the mechanical parts with respect to the upgrade from the older to newer version.
The Port sold its 14-year old HMK 260E Gottwald known as Crane 1 to a group in Mexico via broker Pacific Handling Systems Inc. By trading in the older crane for a newer model with an outreach of 15 across and load capacities of 125t, Port St. Maarten will be able to better accommodate and continue to grow its footprint within the Northeastern Caribbean region, the release said.
The Terex Gottwald Model 6 harbour crane is high performance for higher handling rates and is part of the large crane family from Terex Port Solutions. It can be used on ships up to post-Panamax and Capesize Bulker class. It is equipped with the technical and ergonomic functions and features required to improve productivity, environmental compatibility and facilitate operation to boost economical and sustainable cargo handling in ports and terminals.
