DP World has informed that its new Container Terminal 3 at its flagship Jebel Ali Port is making good progress with the arrival of 5 new quay cranes and half of its 19 automated cranes being tested before the start of initial operations in the next few weeks.
The 4 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) capacity of Terminal 3, makes it the world’s largest semi-automated facility once fully operational.
Terminal 3 has seen a number of developments since its inauguration by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in January.
Today over half of its 1,860 metre long quay is ready and the 5 new Ship-to-Shore Quay cranes (STS) delivered from Shanghai’s Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC) last week, join the 4 cranes which were installed earlier in December. A total of 20 Automated Rail Mounted Gantry (ARMG) cranes are also moving on their rails at the 70 hectare yard. When finished, the terminal will feature 19 of the largest and most modern quay cranes, remotely operated from a sophisticated control room by Emirati nationals including females for the first time. They will also make up the majority of the 50 ARMG crane operations team.
Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World UAE Region , said: “ The new cranes and the new terminal will strengthen Jebel Ali’s position as the most efficient and modern gateway in the region with the capability to handle the largest giant vessels being ordered by our customers.”
“Jebel Ali provides gateway access to a market of more than 2 billion people across the GCC, Middle East, Africa and the Subcontinent. The sophisticated cranes equipped with the latest technology from ZPMC along with smart mobile applications, a 100% electronic transaction facility and an advanced Gate Automation system all contribute a cost effective terminal as part of the supply chain. Automation and new technology are part of the future helping our customers and the wider supply chain realise the efficiencies on land that the new mega-ships generate at sea.”
Each quay crane is over 138 metres tall at full boom extension. They weigh 1,850,000 kg each and can lift four twenty foot containers at one time, handling up to 100,000 kg a lift. They have a 69.5 metre lifting height and extended reach, capable of handling the 25 containers-wide new generation of ultra large container ships (ULCS). Once all the cranes on order are in place, there will be 98 quay cranes in total at Jebel Ali. T3 will increase the total capacity of the port to 19 million TEU giving it the ability to handle as many as 10 ULCS at the same time.
[mappress] Press Release, June 23, 2014