The new Liebherr Panamax Container Crane at the Bridgetown Port. (S.Forde/BGIS)

The new Liebherr Panamax Container Crane commissioned by Bridgetown Port Inc. (BPI) is expected to enhance efficiency and improve shorter turnaround time of cargo offloading at that facility.

During the commissioning ceremony held this morning at Berth 5, Chief Executive Officer, David Jean-Marie, said this was one of the many benefits of the new US $12 million crane, also referred to as Gantry Crane #3.

Describing it as “one of the most modern in cargo cranes”, he added that it would “allow for new transshipment opportunities…and its acquisition will lead the BPI on the ‘right path’ to reaching it’s 2030 goals.”

He outlined that another of the BPI’s 2030 goals is to become the subsidiary hub for the Southern Caribbean and to be able to move from its current capacity of offloading 100,000 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) to 180,000 TEUs per annum.

Also speaking at the ceremony was Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Dr. Leo Brewster, who revealed that the BPI’s main 2030 goal is to become the most innovative, green maritime hub in the world.

“Acquiring this gantry crane is an important step in the larger expansion efforts under way at the Port of Bridgetown…and will facilitate faster vessel turnaround,” he stated.

From left to right: Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Dr. Leo Brewster; Senior Service Engineer, Barbados Port Inc., Sean Reen and CEO, Barbados Port Inc. David Jean Marie in discussion at the commission ceremony this morning at Berth 5 in the Port. (S.Forde/BGIS)

Dr. Brewster pointed out that the BPI’s operations is about “value creation, business and investment and a data-driven approach to continuous improvement”, aimed at eliminating deficiencies in processes and services.

“Already the foundation work has begun to move the port toward new service and quality standards with implementation of Lean Six Sigma and the acquisition of ISO 9000 certification,” he disclosed.

The Acting Permanent Secretary stressed that the port must be part of any resiliency plans in the event of a natural disaster and therefore emphasis going forward had to be on “designing, implementing and sustaining a vibrant disaster management plan, fully capable of mitigating against man-made events, responsive to natural disasters, while incorporating a prominent role for ports in the logistics architecture and disaster management frameworks”.

The first two gantry cranes were bought in 1985 and 2014. Gantry Crane #3 was shipped from Ireland and assembled in Barbados by a team of local technicians who received certified training in Ireland.

This particular Liebherr mobile harbour crane raises and lowers loads at up to 120 metres per minute.

sheena.forde@barbados.gov.bb

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