Port Everglades Gets $41.4 Million for Bigger Cranes
Port Everglades will purchase three new large gantry cranes at $41.4 million as part of a larger overall program to expand the complex and better position itself to receive Neopanamax vessels traveling through the expanded Panama Canal.
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved the purchase May 6, with an option for the seaport to purchase an additional three cranes within five years.
“Cargo ships are getting larger, and several shipping lines already coming to Port Everglades from Europe and South America need super-post-Panamax cranes now. The longer we wait, the higher the price, in addition to increasing our chances of losing important business,” said Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Steve Cernak. “We cannot afford to wait until our harbor deepening and widening project is completed because the cranes are needed now.”
The port ranks No. 15 in North America based on annual container volume.
Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. will build the cranes that could handle containers stacked eight high and reach across 22 containers on the deck. The port said its seven current gantry cranes are limited to containers stacked five high and across 16 containers on the deck.
