IN ORDER to further boost productivity, Kingston Wharves Ltd. (KWL) has invested a further $208 million in acquiring its third state-of-the-art mobile harbour crane.
All ports of note pride themselves on excellent productivity levels. This is the linchpin of the shipping industry, as productivity ultimately dictates how quickly cargo is loaded and unloaded from ships. thereby helping to drive economies worldwide.
The crane is the latest in mobile harbour crane technology, boasting the 2005 model of the QST30 Cummings engine which powers this 300-ton machine. The crane also has an extended tower, which is 20 metres taller than the previous models. This allows for better visibility for crane operators, as they are now able to see above four containers stacked one on the other. Previously, operators could only see above three stacked containers.
Another important improvement has to do with the spreader bar, the bar that adjusts to the length of the container to allow the crane to lift it. The new crane's spreader can lift up to 40 tons within a radius of 42.5 metres. This is an improvement on the previous model that could lift a maximum of 35 tons within a radius of 35 metres.
What these improvements mean for KWL clients is that, coupled with the expertise of crane operators, current productivity levels which average 24 container moves per hour will continue to steadily improve because the most advanced crane technology, as well as continual improvements in technology and operational efficiency, is now available at Kingston Wharves Ltd.
