ZPMC delivers for Gulfport

News 16 Aug 2016 by WCN Editorial

ZPMC has officially handed over three new cranes to the Port of Gulfport, Mississippi.

𝕏

The cranes are the first new units the port has commissioned since Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of its infrastructure in 2005.

For ZPMC, the three cranes (delivered with one bulk hopper) are another important step in its North American development. They were ordered from ZPMC North America, while offloading and commissioning was performed by ZPMC’s new US Subsidiary, ZPMC Crane Services, which is also providing operator and maintenance training.

“The arrival of the cranes was a momentous milestone for the Port’s Restoration Project and were welcomed with much excitement and fanfare,” said Jonathan Daniels, Port of Gulfport executive director and CEO. "This investment in our operations will not only facilitate continued growth for the Port, but also insure our I.L.A. Local #1303 has some of the best tools to service our customers.”

The cranes and hopper arrived in March, with load testing and provisional handover completed on July 22. The official commissioning ceremony attended by Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant took place this month, just ahead of the cranes going into service handling Chiquita vessels, which have returned to the port under a new 40-year agreement after Chiquita pulled out in 2014.

The cranes are capable of servicing post-Panamax container ships of approximately 8,000 TEU capacity with a maximum width of 17 containers, a maximum stack height of 9 containers above deck and a maximum stowage height of 10 containers below deck.

“The MSPA is confident that these new cranes will give Gulfport the opportunity to service larger vessels coming through the recently expanded Panama Canal, which is expected to attract new business, create new jobs and help grow the economy in the region,” said ZPMC Crane Services President Jim Anastasio.

*Pictured at the handover ceremony are from left: Jonathan Daniels, Port CEO & Director, ZPMC Crane Services Regional VP Randy Sibayan, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, ZPMC NA Service Director Tony Zhang, ZPMC Crane Services President Jim Anastasio and ZPMC NA Senior Electrical Engineer Chen Peng.