Port Saint John set to receive two post panamax gantry cranes

SAINT JOHN (NB) –  The skyline at Port Saint John is about to change with the arrival of two post panamax sized gantry cranes for use at the container terminal beginning January 2017.The cranes represent private sector equipment investment on the part of DP World, the new terminal operator set to begin operations at Port Saint John in January.DP World is working in partnership with Port Saint John, who, together with the governments of Canada and New Brunswick, have embarked on a previously announced $205 million infrastructure modernization program expected to be completed in 2024. As demonstrated by the purchase of the two cranes, DP World Saint John is adding new terminal cargo handling equipment to deliver exceptional customer service and further expand capacity and productivity of the terminal.“We appreciate the investment that DP World is making that will both enhance our operational capabilities and support the West Side Modernization Project,” said Jim Quinn, President & CEO, Port Saint John. “The cranes will significantly enhance container handling capacity in our Port in the short term while we further grow container business and move forward with other aspects of the Project. We are excited to see the cranes arrive and encourage members of our community to watch for them in the harbour.  The sight will be spectacular as they will be standing at full height on the heavy lift ship which is carrying them.”Matthew Leech, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World Americas Region, said: “DP World Saint John will bring significant benefits to New Brunswick and Maritimes importers and exporters through our investment in modern container handling equipment that will be capable of serving post-panamax container vessels in line with the Port Authority’s expansion works program. As a visible step in the development programme local people will be able to see for themselves the modernization of the Port is in full swing.Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John–Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, said: “Job creation and economic growth that will strengthen Canada’s middle class depend on quality, efficient infrastructure that makes the movement of goods and services as swift and easy as possible. Modernizing and expanding Port Saint John is an essential step in achieving this goal and I’m very pleased that local residents now have a clear marker of the project’s progress. The Government of Canada is proud to be supporting these improvements to one of Canada’s primary marine ports and I look forward to seeing the benefits reverberate across the region, as well as the country at large.”“The arrival of the cranes symbolizes the expansion and modernization project at the Port of Saint John is underway,” said Hon. Ed Doherty, Minister of Service New Brunswick and MLA for Saint John Harbour. The Province of New Brunswick is proud to be a partner in the important expansion project which will increase the competitiveness of businesses in the Saint John area and across the province allowing us to increase exports.”Port Saint John is Eastern Canada’s largest port by tonnage and has a diverse cargo base, including dry and liquid bulk, break bulk, containers, and cruise.

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Media contacts:  Paula Copeland, manager of corporate communications, Port Saint John, Cell: (506) 650-5288, Email: pcopeland@109.199.110.97 #portcityLinda Kragnes, manager, corporate administration, DP World Americas Region, Cell: (980) 263.7273; Tel: (704) 246-0352, Linda.kragnes@dpworld.com 

Backgrounder

When and How the DP World Saint John Cranes Will ArriveThe DP World cranes will arrive at approximately 9:45 am on Saturday, October 29.  The cranes are fully erect on a heavy lift ship, Zhen Hua 14.Zhen Hua 14 will sail into the inner harbour, turn in the turning basin and then dock alongside the pier at Rodney Container Terminal with her bow facing the direction of the Bay.Once alongside at the pier, the cranes will be off-loaded over a period of days.  The deck of the terminal has been prepared for the larger cranes over the past few weeks.