The cranes are coming, the cranes are coming!
This Saturday morning, May 13, will mark the much-anticipated arrival of three Malacca-max dock gantry cranes on the heavy load carrier ship Zhen Hua 25 to Prince Rupert’s inner harbour.
The cranes are part of the Fairview Container expansion project, labelled ‘Phase 2 North’ by owner-operator DP World Prince Rupert.
Their arrival enables the start of the capability of two container ships being loaded or unloaded at the same time at Fairview, as well as the capability to work on the largest container ships in the world. The cranes have a horizontal reach of 25 containers, explained a news release from the Port of Prince Rupert Friday.
The total number of cranes will reach seven with the expansion, which is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2017. The terminal’s capacity will increase from 850,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 1.35 million TEUs.
Upon the Zhen Hua 25’s arrival on Saturday, the ship will be escorted to dock by SAAM SMIT Towage tugs “which will help the ship execute a slow turn before berthing at Fairview Container Terminal.”
Also, BC Coast Marine pilots will be on board the ship to help navigate the inner harbour waters.
You can follow the cranes’ arrival at www.thenorthernview.com on Saturday.