ABP took over operation of the Hull Container Terminal on May 1 and will continue to service the terminal's customer, Samskip. The port operator has invested in new infrastructure and equipment and taken on 39 staff from previous operator, PD Ports.
Two giant Liebherr gantry cranes, each weighing about 600 tonnes, were inched into place on a remote-controlled multi-wheeled bogey on Sunday and Monday at the terminal, in Queen Elizabeth Dock. At a cost of about £5m each, they replace two of three cranes that have seen more than 40 years' service at the facility.
The new steel cranes, both about 50m high, would be lifting short sea containers weighing about 29 tonnes each from vessels carrying between 250-280 containers. The cranes will each be operated by one driver but five people will be working the shift pattern because of the high-intensity nature of the work.
The £15m investment has also included a fleet of 21 reach stackers, tractors and trailers.