CRANER Swift, the second of two new £25m, 72m tall, 932-tonne ship-to-shore cranes, has arrived from Cork in Ireland, where it was built, to its new home at the Port of Greenock.
In a major boost to productivity for the port, the cranes will help accommodate increased demand from cargo owners and support growth in transatlantic trade, as well as future proofing the port.
The cranes’ capabilities have already been key in securing new routes, include a new weekly deep sea container service connecting Scotland to the Mediterranean market of Turkey.
Port operator Peel Ports Clydeport spent £25m on the two cranes, the largest single investment made at the container terminal, less than a year after a new £20 million cruise ship visitor centre opened at the neighbouring Greenock Ocean Terminal. The cranes are to be named ‘U-Crane Bolt’ after the Jamaican Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt and ‘Craner Swift’ in tribute to Taylor Swift following a naming competition with local schoolkids.
Jim McSporran, port director at Peel Ports Clydeport, has commented:
“These two structures will be transformational for the port, significantly expanding our freight capabilities here, and we’re all really excited for having them fully operational later this year.
“Once installed they will also boost efficiency and bring more opportunities for global connections and worldwide trade into Greenock, further strengthening our position as a major port for importers and exporters.”
