Video: Crane-raising project at Port of Oakland finalised – Heavy Lift News
28 Aug 2018

Video: Crane-raising project at Port of Oakland finalised

Time-lapse video with demonstration how cranes are raised

Date 28 August 2018

Four ship-to-shore cranes at Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT) are 8 metres taller following the completion of a year-long crane-raising project.

The fourth and final raised crane went back into service yesterday and is ready to serve larger containerships. Oakland already works the biggest containerships that call North America.

Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) operates OICT and managed the crane-raising project in partnership with the Port of Oakland.

“Taller cranes are critical for loading and unloading massive container ships that arrive at our marine terminal,” said SSA President Ed DeNike. “These huge cranes will help us move cargo more efficiently through the Oakland Seaport and support our operations for years to come.”

Raising four gantry cranes increased Oakland’s lifting height from 35 metres to 43 metres above the dock. The project started on May 8, 2017 and was completed last week. The giant cranes can soar up to approximately 120 metres with the booms in the highest position.

“Raising cranes is part of our infrastructure investment strategy to increase the Port of Oakland’s competitive edge on the US West Coast,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “We’re confident that this will help us move more imports and exports through Oakland.” The crane-raising project cost approximately $14 million.

These higher gantry cranes can reach over an additional three levels of stacked containers on a big ship’s deck. This improves the process and speed of cargo operations, saving time and money for Port customers.

How is a container crane raised?

  • First, a massive jack is constructed – this jack required fifty trucks to transport sections of the jack to Oakland;
  • A rubber-tired trailer system is used to move the 3-million-pound crane off the tracks and reposition the crane tot the work area;
  • Engineers require at least two months to brace one crane on supports, cut away its lower legs, raise the crane, insert the longer extensions and weld everything back together;
  • The taller crane is tested and placed back in operation.

Source Port of Oakland

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