A 3E-class super-large quay crane during unloading operations (Photo by Xu Yijian)

At 8 a.m. on February 25, the vessel “Zhenhua 12”, carrying a 3E-class super-large quay crane, successfully berthed at Berth No.5 of Chuanshan Port Area in Zhoushan Port, Ningbo.

Under the busy loading and unloading operations, the 3E-class super-large quay crane slowly moved onto the shore along the tracks. One and a half hours later, the 3E-class super-large quay crane was successfully landed. This is the new quay crane again at Chuanshan Port again after 5 years, and it is also the first time that a 3E-class super-large quay crane has been introduced to the port.

The operational capacity of quay cranes is a crucial factor in determining a terminal’s cargo throughput. The newly introduced equipment is a 3E-class super-large quay crane, with a forward outreach of 72m, which can reach across 25 container rows, and a lifting height of 52m. It is taller than the largest quay crane currently in the port area and can meet the extreme loading and unloading requirements of 10 layers of super-high containers on decks.

“The arrival of the new quay crane marks a key milestone in the construction of the smart port at Chuanshan Port. The increase in lifting height from 42m to 52m, the extension of forward outreach from 63m to 70m, and the qualitative improvement in the number of quay cranes mean that the loading and unloading capacity of the port will be significantly enhanced, and the time of ships spend in port will be reduced. “We will implement intelligent dispatching systems and digital twin technology to help the annual throughput reach a new level,” said Wu Guangji, deputy manager of operation department of Ningbo Beilun Third Container Terminal Co., Ltd. Manager Wu explained that this 3E-class super-large quay crane is equipped with a remote control system and integrates various advanced automation control technologies. It can handle the operation of current 200,000-ton class giant ships with ease and features enhanced intelligence, safety and reliability, etc. The remote-controlled quay crane not only handles the intelligent loading and unloading of container ships with high automation but also performs automated container grabbing and placing operations in coordination with traditional trucks.

The Chuanshan Maritime Affairs Department of Ningbo Maritime Safety Bureau actively coordinated to provide professional guidance for the installation of quay crane equipment. “During the installation, we employ a combination of on-site vigilance by sea patrol boats and drone patrols to ensure traffic control between the operational waters and adjacent berths, ensuring full-process operation safety,” said Li Rui, a law-enforcement officer of Ningbo Maritime Safety Bureau.

Chuanshan Port Container Terminal is Ningbo-Zhoushan Port's first container terminal at the “ten-million TEU level”. Its container throughput has exceeded 10 million TEUs for 8 consecutive years, and last year it surpassed 11 million TEUs for the first time. Currently, the construction of the smart port area at Chuanshan Port is progressing steadily. In the future, three additional 3E-class super-large quay cranes will be introduced to further enhance the terminal’s operational capacity for large vessels and promote its own development, advancing the construction of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port as a world-class port. (By reporters Wu Yuting, Cao Yiqian; correspondents Wu Qin, Lin Yingying, Xu Yijian)