DP World has inaugurated two Super Post Panamax ship-to-shore (STS) cranes at its Lirquén Chile terminal.
The two new cranes, powered by renewable energy, will help increase port productivity by 30 per cent and reduce the operational carbon footprint by 11 per cent while accelerating the company’s efficiency and growth at one of the main terminals in the Biobío Region.
The Super Post Panamax STS cranes will allow DP World to service ships with up to 22 rows, and are supported by yard equipment such as Reach Stackers and port trucks to accompany the increase in productivity at the dock.
The project also includes the addition of modern Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, which will speed up the process and improve the terminal’s safety.
Michael Spoerer, General Manager of DP World Lirquén, explained: “DP World’s Lirquén terminal is now poised to support additional economic activity through the port, expanding the world’s access to Chilean exports.
“This investment of nearly $45 million brings two of the most modern cranes in the world to our facility. As demand for goods increases across the region, we now have the capacity to handle the region’s largest vessels in the most sustainable manner.”
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DP World’s operations in Chile, through its terminals DP World Lirquén and DP World San Antonio, recently renewed its certification as the first port operator in South America to use 100 per cent renewable energy.
Spoerer added: “This investment confirms DP World’s decision to enhance its commercial offer for containers on the West Coast of South America and to be a long-term strategic facilitator of cargo for Chilean importers and exporters.
“Productivity and efficiency at DP World Lirquén’s docks has grown significantly in recent years, thanks to investments, operational redesign and support from our workers, which have translated into benefits for our customers, both in containers, cellulose ships, ships with servicing the clean energy market and transportation.”
DP World Limited handled 59.6 million TEU terminals in the first nine months of the year.
