New ship-to-shore crane at PE Port to enhance operational efficiency

The Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy says the new ship-to-shore crane at the Port Elizabeth container terminal will enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

Creecy was speaking during the launch of the crane, which is part of a R3 billion fleet renewal programme investment, to boost equipment availability and operational effectiveness at the country’s container terminals.

The cranes can swiftly and accurately transfer containers from ship to shore and vice versa. The speed and precision of modern cranes minimise the time ships spend docked at the port, allowing for faster turnaround times and increasing the overall throughput of the port.

One of the main environmental benefits of using these type of cranes, is the reduction in emissions.

“Once you have new equipment that is not subject to breakdown, you can dramatically improve your productivity. You can get closer to our standard which is 30 gross train moves per hour, you can also in situations where we have brought in new straddles and new rtgs, you can improve productivity and I think a lot of the current delays really relate to the fact that, the equipment is old and so there has to be ongoing maintenance work that is done,” explains the minister.

Despite this positive development, the new export tariffs imposed on South Africa by the United States, are expected to disproportionately affect the Eastern Cape, which is highly reliant on the automotive and manufacturing sectors.

“I think we have a huge advantage here because we are a two-port city, so we must make sure that both our ports are highly efficient and that we fully exploit the advantages that we have. So we have Coega development zone that’s linked to the other port, which is key. So I think that if the efficiencies can be improved it will offset the disadvantages, because for manufacturers that are operating here, we are further from other markets, so we need to find other ways to be competitive, so the ports become key,” says Denise van Huyssteen the Chairperson at the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.

There are also concerns about the potential knock-on impact of reduced vehicle assembly volumes on the automotive components supply chain.

“We said that we want to mitigate the cost of living for our people. So whatever that we think that is going to add more burden to the daily lives of your people must be looked a with an eye that seeks to find a solution around that. So I still believe, that if the market, if the business, the automotive sector is affected we have got to get into that debate and see what is the best way to mitigate that. So we will engage with various sectors and see what can be done,” says Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane.

The Transnet Port Terminals division is also determined to assist shipping companies during this trying time.

Ship-to-shore cranes are also safer to operate than other types of cranes. Their design allows for precise and controlled movements, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries.

In addition, these cranes are often equipped with advanced safety features, such as collision avoidance systems, to further improve safety.