Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL) has ordered the hi-tech, multi-million dollar Konecranes Gottwald Model 8 crane, as it will allow port operators to expand their current container handling capacity and to serve larger vessels.

This will be the latest addition to the new equipment to KWL’s existing fleet of mobile harbour cranes at its terminal in Kingston. In announcing the purchase of this hi-tech crane, KWL reports that, “as the Port of Kingston evolves into a major maritime logistics hub of the Caribbean, customers must be confident that KWL will maintain the high standards it has established since its founding in 1945.”

Handover is scheduled for the beginning of December 2021. The new crane is a Konecranes Gottwald Model 8 Mobile Harbor Crane in the G HMK 8510 variant. With a maximum radius of 61 metres, it can service container vessels up to the super-post-Panamax class.

Smart crane features combined with a maximum lifting capacity of 125 t make it flexible enough to handle general and heavy project cargo as well. The crane will be delivered along with a complete set of spare parts so that maintenance tasks are quick and minimize downtime.

Comprehensive strategic upgrade to KWL equipment and facilities

KWL Chief Executive Officer, Mark Williams points to the comprehensive and strategic upgrade of equipment taking place at the company noting that, “our new Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbour crane will provide us with the performance, reliability and robustness we’ve come to expect from such a crane, while giving us the extra capacity and options we need for our future growth and development.”

This upgrade of equipment, Williams highlighted is imperative as, “regional trade is expanding, so this order is part of a comprehensive strategic upgrade to our equipment and facilities.”

For his part, Andreas Moeller, Senior Sales Manager for Konecranes Mobile Harbor Cranes notes that, “KWL has been operating four Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbour cranes for many years.”

He articulated that, “the fact that they are returning to us again demonstrates the confidence they have in our relationship and that our cranes are ideal for both their productivity and future growth needs. Our partnership is a model of long-term cooperation and success.”  

A strong focus on customers and commitment to business growth and continuous improvement make Konecranes a lifting industry leader. This is underpinned by investments in digitalisation and technology, plus work to make material flows more efficient with solutions that decarbonise the economy and advance circularity and safety.

Konecranes is a world-leading group of lifting businesses, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment of all makes. In 2020, group sales totalled EUR 3.2 billion. The group has around 16,600 employees in 50 countries.

Konecranes shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.