Remote Ready Ship-to-Shore Container Cranes

Overview of CP&A's Role in Crane Installation

Casper, Phillips & Associates Inc. (CP&A) has successfully witnessed the commissioning of the first two ship-to-shore container cranes from Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (ZPMC). This is part of an order for six cranes at GCT Deltaport in Canada.

CP&A offers a wide variety of services, including specification, design, manufacturing review, modification, and accident investigation. Initially, the company advised on the largest cranes that could be installed on the dock to accommodate the biggest container ships. The six sister cranes will all be built to the same set of drawings:

Basic Parameters

• Rated Load: 65t — capable of lifting a single 40 ft. container or two ‘twin’, 20 ft. containers.

• Outreach: 70m from waterside rail.

• Lift Height: 52m above the wharf deck.

• Rail Gauge: 30.48m.

  
  

STS cranes ready to be loaded onto the vessel and shipped from Shanghai to Deltaport.

GCT Deltaport: A State-of-the-Art Terminal

GCT’s Deltaport is Canada’s flagship container terminal. The 210-acre state-of-the-art site is located in the outer harbor at Roberts Bank (Delta, B.C.). It features a 3,609-ft. contiguous berth and a dock rail with 27,350 ft. of tracks. Typically, over 18,000 containers are stacked at any given time.

Having studied the wharf, CP&A determined the largest crane size that could feasibly operate. They collaborated with GCT to develop modifications to a purchase specification from a previous project. CP&A performed a structural and mechanical design review of ZPMC’s design to ensure compliance with the specifications. GCT employs many skilled electrical engineers who managed the electrical and control aspects of the cranes.

STS Cranes offloaded at Deltaport, ready for acceptance testing.

Remote Operation Ready

The new ship-to-shore container cranes are equipped for remote operation. Once the control infrastructure is in place, they can be operated from a distance. These cranes feature a ship profiling system to prevent collisions between the lift system and containers on the vessel. Additionally, a chassis alignment program scans and recognizes the position of trailers, aiding truck drivers in proper positioning.

Richard Phillips, a mechanical engineer at CP&A, stated: “Once the design complied with the specifications, construction began. We managed on-site fabrication inspections. When the cranes arrived, we witnessed the final commissioning and acceptance testing. The cranes are now ready to be put into operation. Acceptance testing is required by federal regulations to ensure the equipment is functioning correctly. These tests include everything from load testing to checking that every e-stop button works.”

He added: “GCT has been a repeat client for over a decade. We are constantly in contact with them, which makes working on long-term, multi-crane contracts like this much easier.”

Ongoing Developments at Deltaport

Demolition of the original, smaller cranes on the wharf is ongoing. The first two new cranes could be lifting containers before the end of September.

In addition to the crane installation, CP&A has also played a central role in creating a Site Wind Analysis and Monitor (SWAM) program. This program utilizes anemometers and weather forecasting technology for GCT.

Conclusion

The successful commissioning of these cranes marks a significant milestone for both CP&A and GCT Deltaport. With advanced features and robust design, these cranes will enhance operational efficiency at Canada’s flagship container terminal. The collaboration between CP&A and GCT demonstrates the importance of expertise and communication in large-scale projects.

The cranes are not just a testament to engineering excellence but also a step towards modernizing container handling in Canada. The future looks bright for GCT Deltaport as they prepare to welcome these state-of-the-art machines into operation.

For more information about CP&A's services, visit CP&A.