Lake Charles, LA—The Port of Lake Charles installed a new ship unloader crane at BT-1, enabling an increase in its cargo capacity and handling efficiencies. BT-1 now has two unloaders that can operate at the same time. For example, when discharging cargo from a ship, one crane will be used to place the material onto a conveyor belt, while the other will be able to simultaneously unload the cargo directly from ship to truck.
The Port contracted Morris Material Handlings of Wisconsin to manufacture the ship unloader. “This project was uncommon in that 90 percent of the crane and its components are being manufactured and constructed in the United States, because most of manufacturers for this type of crane are overseas,” says Donald Brinkman, Director of Port Engineering. “Even more exciting is that the ship unloader was fabricated right here in Louisiana.”
The crane is approximately 174 ft. tall and weighs approximately 900 tons. The total project cost was an estimated $14 million, which favorably impacted the New Iberia and Louisiana economies.
The ship unloader was fully assembled and tested at the Port of Iberia then shipped by barge to the Port of Lake Charles.
The Port of Lake Charles encompasses 203 square miles in Louisiana and owns and operates two marine terminals and two industrial parks. It is currently ranked the thirteenth-busiest seaport district in the U.S. based on cargo tonnage according to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. For more information on the Port of Lake Charles, contact 337 439-3661.