Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (Lekki Port) is to take delivery of three new-generation Ship to Shore (STS) cranes and 10 Rubber Tyred Gantries (RTG) from Shanghai, China ahead of the start of port operations.
Lekki Deep Sea Port construction is currently at about 90per cent completion and is projected to commence operations in September 2022. The port is a private-public partnership venture involving China Harbour Engineering Company and Tolaram, Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The STS cranes would service the largest container vessels that would sail into the port, which can carry more than 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and its specifications include a fixed rail line at the quayside to access vessels and reduce delays moving from bay to bay.
These cranes have a lifting capacity of 65 tons in twin-lift mode, 50tonnes in single lift mode, and 85tonnes under the hook beam. They can reach out from the quayside up to 61 metres and have an air draft of 52 metres and a span of 30.5 metres beneath the crane.
According to the Managing Director, Lekki Port, Du Ruogang the equipment which left Shanghai on May 17, 2022, en route to Lekki Port, Lagos, Nigeria, would be the most sophisticated port equipment ever yet to be used in Nigeria and would completely change the port landscape, putting Nigeria at the forefront of container operations in West Africa.
Ruogang noted that the port would become a catalyst and an economic enabler for Nigeria with this development. He added that the equipment would make Lekki Port operations fast, efficient and seamless.
Also, the Chief Operating Officer of Lekki Port, Laurence Smith, stated that an STS crane generates 300 lux of light, making the surrounding environment seem like daylight so that the stevedores can work safely at night.
He explained further that a personnel elevator was installed for the operators’ comfort and safety adding that the cabin is fitted with an ergonomic seat so that the operators can find the most optimal comfortable position for themselves.
He said: “Cameras are strategically equipped around the cranes to assist the operators with different angles to support the operation.“From a customer and stakeholder perspective, the STS can more than double the performance of any port crane in Nigeria today, positioning Lekki Port as the future preferred gateway into Nigeria and beyond. Lekki Port is indeed a game-changer.”
