Page 56: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2019)

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HEAVY LIFTERS IN PORT “It is a bit of both,” explains Jeff look for height, the weight of these new Indeed, raising STS cranes is fast be- at the Port of Los Angeles were 13,000

Rosenberg, ZPMC Crane Service’s VP cranes is becoming a factor as existing coming the signature project for ZPMC TEUs. of Sales & Marketing, who adds, “New docks were not built for the new wheel USA. For his part, Rosenberg isn’t crane deliveries are now 12-18 months loads. aware of any other ? rm that also plays ZPMC away. We typically we can raise a crane The purpose of ‘crane raising’ is to in this sandbox. ZPMC has four pro- ZPMC impressively owns and oper- in three to four months (after engineer- accommodate the large post-Panamax prietary jacking systems available for ates 25 heavylift ships ranging in ca- ing), and at about one-third the price of tonnage, but this involves (to date) an crane raise work in the U.S. that accom- pacity from 60,000 to 100,000 DWT, a new crane.” That latter metric – with increase in height only, as opposed to modates varying pier loading situations delivering products all over the world. the escalating trade tensions – might be- also having an increased outboard reach. and height increases. Two of the jack- ZPMC North America is the operating come even more important. That’s be- The higher crane really does provide that ing frames load off the dock, and two company for North America, and ZPMC cause, says Rosenberg, new cranes are much more of an advantage, especially are designed to jack the crane from its Crane Services is its North American going for $10 to $12 million, and rais- given the ever-increasing beam of these own structure to avoid putting any extra service subsidiary. The ? rm boasts an- ing a crane costs about $4 million. Given newer vessels. Rosenberg agrees, say- weight on the pier. Rosenberg explains, nual revenues of $5 billion and employs the uncertainty in today’s trade climate, ing, “We haven’t been asked to extend “These are patented systems; devised more than 30,000 personnel. With eight it isn’t hard to see why ZPMC’s unique any booms yet. I also believe there was and designed by ZPMC.” factories in the Shanghai area, the ? rm ability to raise and/or alter an existing some forethought on the part of the ter- The scope of these projects is enor- claims a 70% global market share of the structure is so attractive. minals, ordering cranes with booms for mous. In fact, the tallest port crane in STS Crane market. What is particularly

In May, Rosenberg told MLPro that ten 22 TEU’s width.” North America was recently raised to noteworthy is that when ZPMC sells a cranes at APM in Los Angeles had been Now, as the enlarged Panama Canal that height by ZPMC, which raised the crane, the sale often involves the manu- raised; four more in Charleston and three brings exactly what was promised, that crane 33 feet (10.08 meters) to prepare facture of that crane, its transport from of nine in New Jersey had been com- sort of forethought is also proving to for Ultra-Large Container Vessels call- point A to point B, the dismantling and/ pleted. Scores more, internationally, had be prescient. “Yes, it’s all about larger ing at APM Terminal’s Pier 400. In a or removal of the old crane and the in also been accomplished. In fact, as much ships. We are in the ‘raising cycle’ right landmark project that kicked off July situ delivery of the new one. That menu as 30% of ZPMC’s existing business in- now. Most terminals have at least a few 1, 2016, ZPMC upgraded 10 cranes for is about to expand.

volves crane alterations. new cranes large enough to attract the APM’s Pier 400 Terminal. The cranes The ? rm delivered more than 200 STS

The same proprietary care and exper- larger ships. Now they are raising their can now service ships carrying up to cranes in 2016 alone. 2019, especially on tise that ZPMC applies to its new build older cranes to increase capacity.” And, 20,000 twenty-foot equivalent contain- this side of the big pond, promises more efforts also goes into any alteration of it goes without saying, quickly increase ers (TEUs). Prior to this crane raise, the of the same. Nevertheless, and beyond existing units. That’s because, insists capacity. largest vessels that could be serviced the crane raising trend, ZPMC isn’t sit-

Rosenberg, it isn’t just about raising a ting on its hands. For example, automa- crane, it involves doing it as ef? ciently tion is the hot topic now. Rosenberg said, as possible. “We also relocate cranes “ZPMC has had numerous successful using our own SPMT’s (self-propelled automation projects around the world. modular trailers),” explained Rosenberg, LBCT is the ? agship in the USA.” Be- who continued, “This is a big plus for the yond this, a smaller, second hand crane terminals as we can easily move cranes market is emerging. Rosenberg says that around to place them out of the way ZPMC will get involved, when and if the while they are being worked on, to avoid project makes “regional” sense. con? icts with terminal operations.”

Rosenberg makes it sound easy, but Clear Goals in an Uncertain Climate there is far more to raising a crane than The process of acquiring or shedding meets the eye. Myriad design issues pre- a container crane is a carefully planned cede every operation. These include, but event – in and of itself a supply chain; are not limited to: all its own. The success or failure of that • How high do we go? kind of operation can be the ‘make or • Can dock handle the weight of new- break’ for any port in the fast moving ly raised crane? world of ever bigger boxships. No one • Can it be jacked up off the dock? wants to get left behind in the competi- • Which jacking frame to use? tive quest to keep and grow TEU market • How will increased height affect share. Now, with the rapidly expanding

Crane stability? crane raising option, ports not only get it • Do you to Jack up off the crane? done faster, it’ll be far cheaper.

• Weld or bolt leg inserts? International trade disagreements may • What other upgrades make sense at drive the decision process, but if the same time? newest post-Panamax crane is out of • Will it impact hoisting machinery? reach, it is likely that the raising of an

As port customers are looking to up- existing one will not. If so, it is ZPMC grade local equipment, two big issues that can be thanked, for that. need to be considered when contemplat- ing what to do next. Speci? cally, as they

Photo: ZPMC 56 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • AUGUST 2019

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