ISRAEL's main container Port of Ashdod, 40 kilometres south of Tel Aviv, has completed an important stage in its in its ILS500 million (US$156.2 million) upgrade to make Platform 21 deeper and accessible to mega ships.
At the end of the process the western side of the platform will reach a depth of 16 metres, which will enable 18,000-TEU ships to call at the port, reports London's Container Management.
'The project upgrades the largest platform at the port and this will allow us to provide better service to the grain ships,' said ashdod Port CEO Shiko Zana.
'Upgrading Platform 21 is a big step forward, which will serve as a significant operational growth engine, as the port company prepares for the opening of competition with the new ports in the coming months,' he said.
Platform 21 has a total length of 850 metres and will be able to serve 18,000-TEU ships
The upgrade will see the eastern side of the platform be deepened to around 17.5 metres, reinforcing it so that it can support cranes weighing 130 tonnes.
The transfer of two 240-tonne ship unloaders and two 450-tonne general cargo cranes to the western side of Platform 21 is ongoing at the port.
The machinery is moved using specially-designed carts that are remotely operated with no personnel in the area.
This has required meticulous planning of short breaks in the port's operations to avoid a drop in productivity.
Once the equipment is transferred, the port intends to begin unloading grain ships on the western side of the upgraded Platform 21.
SeaNews Turkey
At the end of the process the western side of the platform will reach a depth of 16 metres, which will enable 18,000-TEU ships to call at the port, reports London's Container Management.
'The project upgrades the largest platform at the port and this will allow us to provide better service to the grain ships,' said ashdod Port CEO Shiko Zana.
'Upgrading Platform 21 is a big step forward, which will serve as a significant operational growth engine, as the port company prepares for the opening of competition with the new ports in the coming months,' he said.
Platform 21 has a total length of 850 metres and will be able to serve 18,000-TEU ships
The upgrade will see the eastern side of the platform be deepened to around 17.5 metres, reinforcing it so that it can support cranes weighing 130 tonnes.
The transfer of two 240-tonne ship unloaders and two 450-tonne general cargo cranes to the western side of Platform 21 is ongoing at the port.
The machinery is moved using specially-designed carts that are remotely operated with no personnel in the area.
This has required meticulous planning of short breaks in the port's operations to avoid a drop in productivity.
Once the equipment is transferred, the port intends to begin unloading grain ships on the western side of the upgraded Platform 21.
SeaNews Turkey