SeaPort Manatee, the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the expanded Panama Canal, has ordered two Gottwald ESP.7 Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs) from Konecranes.

The investment in enhanced cargo handling capacity in Tampa Bay, Florida comes amid an anticipated growth in container and general cargo traffic.

The port ended its 2023 fiscal year with a reported total cargo tonnage of 11 million tons, making it the second-busiest fiscal year in the port’s 53-year history.

The latest order follows the one placed for the first crane in Q1 2024, which included an option for an additional unit. Konecranes said that the port ‘quickly decided to take a second optional crane at the beginning of Q2’ to keep up with fast-growing demand.

Both cranes are scheduled for delivery by the end of the year.

Konecranes added that the ESP.7 MHCs will be able to run both with electricity from the harbour main.

SeaPort Manatee already has four Konecranes mobile harbour cranes on site, including two Gotwald 6 cranes, and two Gottwald Generation 5 units. The port also has a Liebherr MHC in its fleet.

As WorldCargo News reported earlier, SeaPort Manatee and terminal operator Logistec USA Inc, a subsidiary of Logistec Corp, took delivery of two new Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 MHCs in April 2022.

Read more: More Gottwald MHCs for Logistec

Konecranes confirmed to our newsdesk that the order aims to enhance on-site handling capabilities and not replace the Generation 5 cranes. Previously, both SeaPort Manatee and Logistec managed the procurement process, with SeaPort Manatee taking the lead in this specific instance.

The port authority has received a US$5 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to purchase the cranes and, under the grant agreement, must match this amount with an additional US$5 million. A tender to purchase the cranes was launched in January 2024, with the port authority saying that its existing units are ‘ageing, with one unusable due to fire damage’.

Konecranes won the tender with a bid price of US$5.24m per crane. With the exercise of the option, the total cost of the purchase will be US$10,007,188.

The ESP. 7 and ESP.6 cranes are part of the Generation 6 range of Gottwald cranes introduced by Konecranes in 2021, as a replacement for the G HMK Generation 5 range. They have a working radius of up to 51 m, lifting capacities of up to 125 t and lifting speeds of up to 120 m/min.

According to Konecranes, the tower cab on the ESP.7 is around 2 m higher compared to the long-tower Model 6 to provide the ‘best view of the working environment’.

“These two new Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbour cranes will not only help SeaPort Manatee accommodate its growing container business, but their electric drive design will also contribute to the port’s strong commitment to reducing emissions. Both the Florida Department of Transportation and the port’s loyal customers appreciate this dedication to sustainability and the entire community will benefit,” said Carlos Buqueras, SeaPort Manatee’s executive director.

“We’ve been proud to work with SeaPort Manatee over the last two decades as they’ve cemented a key role in the economy of Florida. This order is a good example of the interest our Generation 6 cranes are developing across the market with their high performance, outstanding reliability and impressive eco-efficiency,” said Alan Garcia, Sales Director, Port Solutions, Konecranes.

This contract is part of Ecolifting™, Konecranes’ strategy towards lower CO₂ per container move.

The strategy includes the production of carbon-neutral hybrid and electric cranes by using renewable energy wherever possible, as well as offsetting emissions during the manufacturing process and offering eco-friendly power options during usage.

SeaPort Manatee, the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the expanded Panama Canal, has ordered two Gottwald ESP.7 Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs) from Konecranes.

The investment in enhanced cargo handling capacity in Tampa Bay, Florida comes amid an anticipated growth in container and general cargo traffic.

The port ended its 2023 fiscal year with a reported total cargo tonnage of 11 million tons, making it the second-busiest fiscal year in the port’s 53-year history.

The latest order follows the one placed for the first crane in Q1 2024, which included an option for an additional unit. Konecranes said that the port ‘quickly decided to take a second optional crane at the beginning of Q2’ to keep up with fast-growing demand.

Both cranes are scheduled for delivery by the end of the year.

Konecranes added that the ESP.7 MHCs will be able to run both with electricity from the harbour main.

SeaPort Manatee already has four Konecranes mobile harbour cranes on site, including two Gotwald 6 cranes, and two Gottwald Generation 5 units. The port also has a Liebherr MHC in its fleet.

As WorldCargo News reported earlier, SeaPort Manatee and terminal operator Logistec USA Inc, a subsidiary of Logistec Corp, took delivery of two new Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 MHCs in April 2022.

Read more: More Gottwald MHCs for Logistec

Konecranes confirmed to our newsdesk that the order aims to enhance on-site handling capabilities and not replace the Generation 5 cranes. Previously, both SeaPort Manatee and Logistec managed the procurement process, with SeaPort Manatee taking the lead in this specific instance.

The port authority has received a US$5 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to purchase the cranes and, under the grant agreement, must match this amount with an additional US$5 million. A tender to purchase the cranes was launched in January 2024, with the port authority saying that its existing units are ‘ageing, with one unusable due to fire damage’.

Konecranes won the tender with a bid price of US$5.24m per crane. With the exercise of the option, the total cost of the purchase will be US$10,007,188.

The ESP. 7 and ESP.6 cranes are part of the Generation 6 range of Gottwald cranes introduced by Konecranes in 2021, as a replacement for the G HMK Generation 5 range. They have a working radius of up to 51 m, lifting capacities of up to 125 t and lifting speeds of up to 120 m/min.

According to Konecranes, the tower cab on the ESP.7 is around 2 m higher compared to the long-tower Model 6 to provide the ‘best view of the working environment’.

“These two new Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbour cranes will not only help SeaPort Manatee accommodate its growing container business, but their electric drive design will also contribute to the port’s strong commitment to reducing emissions. Both the Florida Department of Transportation and the port’s loyal customers appreciate this dedication to sustainability and the entire community will benefit,” said Carlos Buqueras, SeaPort Manatee’s executive director.

“We’ve been proud to work with SeaPort Manatee over the last two decades as they’ve cemented a key role in the economy of Florida. This order is a good example of the interest our Generation 6 cranes are developing across the market with their high performance, outstanding reliability and impressive eco-efficiency,” said Alan Garcia, Sales Director, Port Solutions, Konecranes.

This contract is part of Ecolifting™, Konecranes’ strategy towards lower CO₂ per container move.

The strategy includes the production of carbon-neutral hybrid and electric cranes by using renewable energy wherever possible, as well as offsetting emissions during the manufacturing process and offering eco-friendly power options during usage.