As part of a project that is the first of its kind in Israeli ports, two ship to shore cranes are being upgraded at Platform 23, and they will become the highest cranes of this kind in Israel's ports. The cranes will be used to unload and load containers. On the first crane the process of extending its Water Side Boom was completed and its height is now being increased, which will be completed next month. Both cranes will be located at the center of the platform after the process of increasing the height is completed.
The upgrade project, at a cost of about 8 million Euros, will include increasing the height of both ship to shore cranes and extending the Water Side Boom.
The crane's height will be increased by 9 meters, so that the elevated height will reach 44 meters off the ground; and the arm will be extended by about 5.5 meters, so that the length of the arm will reach 60.5 meters. The crane will be able to work with ships with a width of 20 containers. At the end of the process the crane will be prepared to provide service for the container megaships that carry TEU 14,000 and to provide service at a height of 9 containers on the deck of a ship.
The project is being executed by the Spanish company KALMAR that specializes in upgrading and elevation work of this kind. They performed elevation of this kind in various ports such as the Valencia Port in Spain and the Antwerp Port in Belgium.
Ashdod Port Company CEO Isaac Blumenthal said that: "We are taking action according to the company's strategic plan as part of the preparation for the era of competition. Ashdod Port is continuing to upgrade the service for the port's customers by advancing infrastructure projects that will ensure that excellent service is provided to megaships that carry TEU 14,000 and began to call the port last May. These investments are required for the arrival of megaships and international lines of services, to meet the needs of Israeli importers and exporters who do business with the Far East".
