Two new cranes being installed at Bridgetown port

No major disruption is anticipated to port or vessel operations as work gets underway on installing two new electric-powered cranes on Berth 6 at the Port of Bridgetown.

The process is expected to extend over 11 days. A safety exclusion zone, both landside and marine, has been established in the immediate vicinity of Berth 6, while the operation is being executed.

Representatives from the crane manufacturers, Sany, are coordinating the unloading and installation along with Barbados Port Inc.’s (BPI) Terminal Operations and Engineering teams.

BPI is also coordinating with Coast Guard personnel on managing the transit of marine traffic in and out of the Shallow Draught Marina as an extended safety measure.

Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Bridgetown, David Jean-Marie, said the new cranes will complement the two existing gantry cranes in operation at Berths 4 and 5, substantially increasing the port’s capacity and efficiency in cargo handling. He said the cranes are vital to the ports’ success and critical to its growth.  The new berth will be dedicated to container cargo ship operations.

According to the port, the investment in new and expanded infrastructure and equipment will also optimise the space available to meet future berthing requirements and container throughput demands.

In addition to the 315-metre-long, 13-metre-deep berth, there is an upland development package included in the project, comprising a 9.4-acres container yard and the installation of all requisite infrastructure to increase cargo handling capacity.

The CEO said construction of Berth 6 is expected to be completed by July this year. (PR/BT)