Largest STS Crane in North America Commissioned in Houston

The four Super Post-Panamax cranes are unloaded from a heavy lift ship on May 19, 2015. Photo: Port of Houston Authority

The Port of Houston Authority has commissioned the first of four new Super Post-Panamax STS cranes at its Barbours Cut Container Terminal.

The four electric, semi-automated ship-to-shore cranes stand 30-stories high and are the largest ever constructed by Konecranes, and the largest period in North America.

The Port of Houston Authority said the first operational crane began discharging maneuvers early Thursday (Nov. 5) with a 4,250 TEU capacity (Panamax) containership.

With a 65-long ton capacity and the ability to handle two 20-foot containers simultaneously, the STS cranes’ capacity can serve container ships that are up 22 containers wide, with an outreach of 64 meters. Use of a cargo hook can also increase their capacity to 80 long tons, the Port of Houston said. 

“These cranes can move a loaded container twice as fast as their predecessors,” Port Authority Executive Director Roger Guenther said. “They will bring our Barbours Cut terminal capacity from 1.25 million TEUs to 2.5 million TEUs.”

The cranes were ordered as part of a $1 billion, five-year modernization plan that also includes dredging and land-side infrastructure and wharf improvements. 

The four cranes were ordered from Konecranes in May 2013 along with three RTG (Rubber Tired Gantry) cranes for a total price tag of $56 million.

The commissioning of the first crane comes as the Port of Houston celebrates its 100th birthday today, November 10th.

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