Two of the world’s largest container cranes are scheduled to arrive at Commencement Bay in Tacoma on Monday, Jan. 26.
Measuring 273 feet at the apex, the “super post-Panamax” cranes can service a vessel 24 containers wide, making the cranes among the world’s largest. Built by Shanghai, China-based ZPMC (http://www.zpmc.com), the cranes will arrive fully assembled aboard the Zhen Hua 26, a special crane delivery vessel.
The cranes are bound for Washington United Terminals (WUT - http://www.uswut.com), the Tacoma home of Hyundai Merchant Marine and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). The cranes are owned by WUT. The Zhen Hua 26 will arrive with four cranes welded to its deck and will remain anchored in Commencement Bay until Wednesday, Jan. 28. This provides the best time for photography. The vessel will then transit the Blair Waterway for discharge at WUT.
WUT currently has four cranes with 18-container-wide outreach. After the two new cranes arrive – and a third new crane arrives in 2010 – WUT will have seven cranes.
Two smaller cranes aboard the Zhen Hua 26 will remain on board the vessel and will be delivered to Chile after the Tacoma discharge.
NOTE: The attached low-res photo shows the Zhen Hua 26 leaving Shanghai, China bound for Tacoma. Please reply to this email for high-res photos of the crane arrival in Tacoma.
About the Port of Tacoma
The Port of Tacoma is an economic engine for South Puget Sound, with more than 43,000 family-wage jobs in Pierce County and 113,000 jobs across Washington state related to Port activities. A major gateway to Asia and Alaska, the Port of Tacoma is among the largest container ports in North America, handling more than $36 billion in annual trade and about 1.9 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units). The Port also is a major center for bulk, breakbulk and project/heavy-lift cargoes, as well as automobiles and trucks. Learn more online at: www.portoftacoma.com.
