Port Miami gets new cargo handling equipment
Six brand new Electric Rubber Tired Gantry (E-RTG) cranes have recently been installed in Port Miami. These cranes replace older ones that were diesel-powered.
The new equipment arrived in January and has been through a 30-day testing and certification period led by the manufacturer. The equipment was deemed safe and sustainable for the community, being that it releases no emissions and makes less noise.
The new E-RTGs are part of Port Miami’s master plan to make many cargo upgrades. The collaboration with Port Miami, which is financing the improvements, and SFCT demonstrates a successful public-private partnership.
“As we are experiencing these challenging times, Port Miami keeps goods moving from ship to shelf, maintaining its roles as a lifeline to the South Florida region,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.
“It is important to continue optimizing containerized cargo operations and promote efficiency at our Port.”
This optimization is important to the Terminal Director of the SFCT, Mark Baker. Baker adds that the new machines allow them to add density to the terminal to help handle future cargo growth.
The equipment is operated by trained longshoremen from Port Miami’s ILA Local 1922 and 1416. This collaboration of the ILA workforce is critical to development with the new machines.
“We thank Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez and Port Miami Director and CEO Juan M. Kuryla for their initiative and foresight on our port upgrade to ensure Miami’s competitiveness in world markets,” said Baker.
Vice-Chair, Chairwoman of Tourism and the Ports Committee Rebeca Sosa says that these new developments demonstrate the confidence that Miami-Dade County has in the direction the ports and its stakeholders are moving.
Sosa concluded her statement with, “Let’s keep the goods moving!”
