ICTSI deploys first ship-to-shore Cranes in Papua New Guinea

The significance of this investment is that it marks the first arrival of STS cranes in the region, while also representing the largest port machinery in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and therefore enabling larger container ships to be more efficiently handled.

The new Post-Panamax units will replace mobile harbour cranes and have been manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. (ZPMC) of China. Each crane offers an outreach of 17 rows across a vessel, meaning that container ships up to 6000TEU capacity can be catered for at the port.

Robert Maxwell, CEO of ICTSI South Pacific, confirmed the importance of the new cranes and noted that: “With improved productivity, the Port of Lae will soon become an important transshipment hub for the Pacific islands region.”

He added that as a result of this investment the port’s shipping line customers will see increases in quayside productivity and shorter port stays, while the ability to handle larger container ships will help to drive lower prices for both importers and exporters in the region.

“As we plant the seeds to create sustainable port cities and communities, it is our hope that this new equipment will further sustain Papua New Guinea’s economic growth and expanding international trade over the coming years,” Maxwell stated.

In order to ensure sufficient power supply is maintained for the new cranes, ICTSI South Pacific invested in two 2.5-Megawatt Cummins power generators in advance of the cranes arrival, although this is only part of the company’s investment plans which also include procurement of three new truck trailers for Lae as well as two rubber tyred gantries (RTGs) due for delivery in 2023.