Port Elizabeth prepares for citrus season

Port Elizabeth Container Terminals (PECT) prepares for the upcoming citrus fruit harvest with new Liebherr mobile harbour crane technology. The two LHM 600 were transported from Rostock, Germany to South Africa. After a 20-day journey, they were unloaded from the transport vessel “Happy Dragon”. 

Rostock (Germany), April 2020 - Transnet Port Terminal’s Acting Chief Executive, Michelle Phillips said, “Having lost an entire crane due to gale force winds really set us back. The arrival of these two modern cranes will ensure that our promise to the industry is realised”. She added that the cranes arrived at a critical time when the company's nationwide terminals were giving priority to the movement of much needed goods in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and abroad. 

“We are at the start of the 2020 citrus season and we are very pleased that we are able to contribute positively towards the growth of this economy, especially during these challenging times,” said Phillips. 

Liebherr Simulator for Training 

Modern and highly efficient, the two Liebherr mobile harbour cranes, type LHM 600, have multi use capability, can lift up to 104 tons and move up and down the quayside according to berth activity. They are designed for versatile and efficient cargo handling. “An operator simulator has been onsite for the past month with Liebherr providing training to our employees. The LiSIM training simulator was part of our purchase arrangement – and we are quite impressed with the improved skills our employees are demonstrating,” said Phillips. 

She added that both customers and employees had been looking forward to these two pieces of equipment, which arrived as semi assembled units. “We look forward to the commissioning of these cranes and to an improved operation in the PECT”.