Leading logistics specialist Quality Freight UK has overseen the delivery of three megamax quayside cranes into the Liverpool2 deep-water container terminal.
The company’s ships agency managed and coordinated the safe arrival and departure of the ZH25 transporter vessel.
The vessel carrying the giant cranes set off from Shanghai on September 15 passing south-east Asia, India, the Arabian Peninsula and Africa via the Cape of Good Hope en-route to Liverpool in a journey of over 30,000km (18,000m, 16,400nm).
The super-structures were produced by Chinese company, Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co (ZPMC), the largest heavy-duty equipment manufacturer in the world, as part of a contract with Peel Ports worth more than £100m.
Each crane measures 92 metres high to the top of the frame, approximately the same as Liverpool’s iconic Liver building, and 132 metres high when the boom is raised. Each crane weighs around 1600 tonnes.
The megamax cranes can operate at speeds more than 30 moves per hour and facilitate 1,500 moves in each tidal window. They are capable of twin-pick and outreach of 24 containers up to 10 high on deck, and safe working loads of up to 85 tonnes. They can operate in wind speeds of up to 55 miles per hour (88kmph).
Rod Kloezeman, General Manager at Quality Freight UK, said: “This was a lengthy operation which started when the ZH25 left Shanghai through to coordinating the pilots, tugs and berth positions involved in getting the ship into dock.
“As the ship owner’s agent, we were responsible for all of their requirements which included having to organise the flight home to Shanghai for one of the crew members when a family member became ill.”
Sebastian Gardiner, Managing Director of Quality Freight UK, said: “The safe arrival, unloading and departure of the ZH25 is a high-profile example of Quality Freight UK working closely with Peel Ports.
“The integration of Quality Freight UK into the Peel Ports Group earlier this year means that we can now provide the complete logistics solution to customers.”
Mark Whitworth, Chief Executive Officer of Peel Ports, said: “An increasing number of businesses are understanding that it makes more sense to ship products closer to their end destinations. The investment we’ve made in these cranes and elsewhere at the port is crucial to providing us with the capacity to meet growing demand.”