On February 8, 2009, three gantry cranes purchased jointly by Horizon Lines and Matson Navigation Company arrived today at the Port of Guam. The two U.S. Jones Act container carriers acquired the cranes from the Port of Los Angeles in 2008 and have retrofitted and modified the cranes to enhance their productivity and handling capabilities.
The cranes, which are used in ports to lift shipping containers on and off container vessels, are scheduled to be installed at the Port of Guam over the next month and are anticipated to be operational by the end of March. The joint investment by Horizon Lines and Matson will help to ensure that Guam is equipped with modern, reliable transportation infrastructure that can support projected growth in cargo volumes over the next decade.
The cranes are equipped with state-of-the-art electronic control drives and modern diesel generator power packs. Other upgrades include lifting beams capable of handling 45-foot containers and new disc-style main function brakes. Fully assembled, the cranes are over 160-feet tall and have a lift height of over ninety feet.