Read full article here...
A container crane mounted on a pontoon could double the rate of unloading the largest container ships, according to Jan van Beemen of port engineering consultancy Royal Haskoning and B. A. Pielage from the Delft University of Technology
Over the last few months, shipping contractor A.P. Moller-Maersk has launched the two largest container ships in the world – the Emma Maersk and Estelle Maersk. Both have the capacity to store about 11,000 twenty-foot containers. These two vessels are the first of a new class of ships, the largest that can pass through the Suez canal.
Ports and terminals have been preparing for years for Suezmax container vessels. Basins have been widened and new quay walls, with sufficient water depth, have been constructed. The major terminals have purchased new cranes with 22 container wide outreach. It seems the port and terminal infrastructure is all in place to receive the new Suezmax vessels. But is this really the case?
The Suezmax concept is a typical product of the principle of economy of scale: A huge vessel, with a small crew, carrying some 11,000 TEU at a time. Because of draft limitations, the Suezmax can only call at the major ports. Because of economic preconditions, the Suezmax vessel will only call at the largest ports with guaranteed large call sizes. Call size may be as large as 6,000-8,000 lifts.
Vessels at sea make money. Vessels in port cost money. The Suezmax vessel will have a high day-rate. So, with the coming of Suezmax there will be even more pressure on terminal operators to handle the vessel in the shortest possible time. Terminal operators will be pressed harder to invest more in high capacity ship-to-shore container handling systems.
Read more about container cranes on www.shipping-container-housing.com
No comments:
Post a Comment