Purchased by ABP Humber, the crane was secured to support growth in business for Thor Shipping & Transport, which in January signed a new 10-year agreement with ABP to continue operations at the port. The company is now able to work on two vessels simultaneously. ABP has also purchased two new Bromma container spreaders that will attach to the crane, and Thor has ordered two Kalmar reachstackers to ensure efficient operations.
Thomas Bryan, Thor Shipping and Transport managing director, said: “We handle an array of cargo including containers, steel and timber. The new crane will provide support across all areas of our operation and increase our capacity for existing and new customers.”
Efficient delivery
The crane was shipped from the Port of Rostock in Germany, fully assembled to save time and construction labour. Historically, cranes were shipped in their constituent parts and then put together at their destination, a process which can take months to complete.
Ahead of the crane’s arrival, ABP Humber undertook work to strengthen over 10,000m2 of the operation area, which will now bear the load of handling containers with reachstackers. Lighting at the terminal was also upgraded from 18m lattice towers to 25m LED highmasts.
Simon Bird, regional director for ABP Humber, said: “A great deal of work has been undertaken at this two-berth terminal on King George Dock, and delivery of the Liebherr harbour crane marks the completion of this investment.”