Australia's Port of Newcastle is expanding its project cargo, general cargo and container handling capability with a $28.4-million investment in two Liebherr LHM 550 mobile harbor cranes and associated infrastructure at the Port’s Mayfield 4 berth.
Port of Newcastle’s Executive Manager Trade & Business Development, Paul Brown, said the mobile harbor cranes will increase efficiency at the Port and provide an enhanced alternative for customers currently moving both oversized equipment and containerized cargoes through the East Coast’s capital city ports.
"Our customers already benefit from Port of Newcastle’s uncongested road, dedicated freight rail and berth access and this investment will enable both existing and new customers to utilise the Port’s infrastructure to move their oversized equipment and containerized cargo even more efficiently through Newcastle than they currently can.”
"Port of Newcastle is excited about this upgrade to our Mayfield 4 berth service offering. Our team looks forward to working with customers and new trades alike to identify how the mobile harbor cranes service can benefit their supply chain, improve efficiency and further support their ability to successfully compete in international markets,” Brown said.
The contract to supply the cranes has been awarded to Liebherr. Built in Germany, the two brand new Liebherr LHM 550 cranes will feature the latest lift assistance systems, provided to ensure improved material handling, precise control over load movement, and safer lifts, Port of Newcastle said.
With access to rail sidings and upgraded internal roads, able to handle oversized trucks, the new cranes are capable of handling a diverse mix of project cargo, including wind turbines, mining equipment, timber, steel coils and transformers. The cranes will also have the capability to work in tandem for heavy lifts and lift two 20’ or one 40’ container in a single move.
Port of Newcastle’s new mobile harbor cranes are expected to arrive in mid-2022.
$2.4B Deepwater Terminal
Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said the investment in mobile harbor cranes was part of the Port’s long-term diversification plans to better meet the demands of customers.
“As the Hunter’s trade gateway to the world, the mobile harbor crane investment will enable the Port to leverage the full use of our abundant channel, rail, road and land capacity to accommodate existing and new trade and ensure the Port of Newcastle is best placed to meet the demands of customers into the future.”
“Naturally, we would also like to be announcing the next stage in our game-changing $2.4-billion Multi-purpose Deepwater Terminal project. Although we are not present in that position, Port of Newcastle’s goals are unwavering,” Mr Carmody said.
“We are firmly focused on seizing opportunities that will create a broad mix of trade opportunities which help to support our local industry, boost jobs in addition to the 9000 positions the Port, directly and indirectly, supports now, and build a prosperous local, state and national economy.”
According to info by Port of Newcastle the port currently handles 4,400 ship movements and 164 million tonnes of cargo annually, including dry bulk, bulk liquids, ro-ro, general, and project cargoes and containers.
