- Head of Asset Maintenance, West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Riemert Helder (left), Compt. Mohammed Auwal of Onne Customs Area Command, Master of United Heavy Lift, Capt. Ivan Mayer, Managing Director of WACT, Naved Zafar, and Engineering Supervisor, United Engineering Solutions, Dierk Rade, with the new Liebherr LM600 Mobile Harbour Crane at the background at the Onne Port Complex in Rivers State
By Anthony Nwachukwu
In a move that will increase its yard capacity, improve vessel operations and fast-track cargo delivery with exceptional customer-experience, the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) has taken delivery of a Liebherr LHM600 Mobile Harbour Crane (MHC) at its Onne Port terminal in Rivers State.
The new-generation Liebherr LHM600 brings the MHCs at WACT, which is a unit of APM Terminals, to five and adds to the 18 Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes, among others.
The Liebherr LHM600 is a powerful and effective crane for handling containers and heavy equipment, and will enhance WACT and APM Terminal’s consolidation as the best-equipped in the Eastern Port.
Receiving the equipment at the terminal recently alongside some senior management staff, WACT Managing Director, Naved Zafar, disclosed that the new crane was part of APM Terminal’s fresh investment of $112 million for upgrade and expansion.
A statement from the company quoted Zafar as listing the upgrade to include the acquisition of MHCs, RTGs, empty handlers, terminal trucks and forklifts; the deployment of reefer racks with a 600-plug capacity, as well as the expansion of the current yard, new workshop and a new terminal gate complex.
“We already have four MHCs and it is good to see the fifth one joining the fleet and undergoing the required testing and commissioning,” Zafar stated. “We have been multi-skilling our operators and upskilling them to operate both the MHCs and RTGs.”
For the WACT Deputy Managing Director/Head of Country Projects, Jeethu Jose, “the Onne terminal upgrade project enables sustainable success in executing our strategy, with the ultimate goal of providing world class service delivery at our terminal.
“Adding one more crane will increase our yard capacity, improve vessel operations at the terminal and fast-track cargo delivery. This way we are able to keep up with the market demand and provide exceptional customer experience.”
