Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has been awarded the contract to heighten three Kalmar ship-to-shore (STS) cranes operated by DP World Antwerp Gateway NV. The order was signed into Cargotec's first quarter of 2015 order intake, with the completion of the project scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2016, the company said in its press release.
Kalmar will be responsible for the turnkey project, including planning and engineering, the execution of the heightening, and commissioning. The cranes, which have been operational since 2005, are to be heightened by six metres to accommodate larger vessels entering the port. This is in anticipation of significant growth in container movements.
The highly specialist operation will be achieved by inserting leg extensions underneath the portal beams in the existing flange junctions. The project will also include the installation of consequential structural reinforcements in crane travel and trolley travel direction. The heightening of the crane structure is achieved by means of jacking towers and hydraulic jacks, including all bracings for horizontal forces to ensure optimum safety during the process.