As the port of Penang undertakes the biggest expansion in its history it is employing worlds best practices to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the craneage system on which its cargo handling depends.

PenangPort has ongoing maintenance arrangements with the global Konecranes Group to service its ship-to-shore cranes as it invests RM 1.10 billion ($US340 million) from 2007-2012 to expand  elevate its status to a main line port capable of handling more than a million TEUs a year.
(Twenty foot Equivalent Units, TEUs, a year).

The nine existing ship-to-shore cranes Ð with three electric overhead travelling (EOT) maintenance cranes for which Konecranes is also responsible at North Butterworth Container Terminal Ð are integral to the port’s performance as it aims to ultimately achieve crane productivity of 30 TEUs an hour.

Another seven ship-to-shore cranes are scheduled for delivery by the end of this year, with service and parts supply also provided by Konecranes through its nearby Singapore headquarters and worldwide network of 485 locations in 43 countries with more than 366,000 cranes of all brands under service contracts.

The current NBCT expansion Phase 3 consists of Segment A1 and A2. Segment A1 involved the extension of a new 600 metre berth at the Northern end of the existing 900 metre wharf. Segment A2 involved the construction of a 771 metre length of stacking area for export containers behind the wharf. The stacking area is capable of handling 465,000 TEUs with 2640 ground slots. The total investment of this project inclusive of the handling equipment is about RM900 million.

“We are a 24/7,365 days a year operation, so prompt and reliable service of cranes
of all brands is very important to us,” says PenangPort Senior Maintenance Engineer, Engineering Services Ð SBU Container Services, Muhammad Asri Bin Md Isa.

“It is definitely very important that we have no interruptions, and reliability will be increasingly important also as we expand our current fleet of STS cranes over the coming year.

“This is one of the reasons why we appreciate the global expertise of the Konecranes organisation, which can source parts promptly and advise on a wide variety of technical issues that it is familiar with worldwide. And we appreciate too the expertise of the local Konecranes people who understand our operations,” said Mr Asri, who is assisted by Konecranes Sales Engineer, Maintenance Services, Malaysia, Puah Boon Kheng.

Mr Boon Kheng, whose office in Penang is backed by the resources of the regional Konecranes headquarters in Singapore,  is responsible for the maintenance agreement covering the 10-ton Konecranes XL EOT crane, and the 8-ton CXT and  3-ton XL cranes in the maintenance facility. He also provides assistance for the ship-to-shore cranes, working with the port’s own maintenance teams, and for the mobile RTG  cranes that move containers around the port’s yards.  Konecranes is involved in repairing and upgrading the gantry cranes, as well as the quay cranes serving customers globally as well as those in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

Recent jobs in which they have been involved include a trolley rail and wheels replacement on STS Crane No 4, completed within three weeks, and rebuilding of the bogie on an RTG crane to repair the expected wear and cracking resulting from heavy service in the container yard.

Mr Boon Kheng says such jobs illustrate the time-saving ongoing partnership with PenangPorts’ own staff, who draw on Konecranes services to enhance reliability, safety and efficiency by obtaining parts and service promptly and at competitive pricing.

Mr Asri says PenangPort can get parts promptly from Konecranes local Penang office, or in a week or two from Singapore Ð “Whenever we need some assistance, Konecranes is ready to assist. The price is reasonable Ð they come to us with a package Ð and, being an international company, it is very helpful in sourcing spare parts.

“Dealing with an OEM and world recognised crane service organisation is very helpful, particularly when dealing with the Department of Safety, for example. Our relationship makes it easier to attain regular safety certification, which is very important. All our cranes have to be certified and safety is part of our responsibility as a caring employer with world’s best practices,” said Mr Asri.

Konecranes has been involved with PenangPort since 1994, when the company took over all facilities and services from the Penang Port Commission, which licenses PenangPort. The port – which deals extensively with cargo from countries including Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia Ð aims to be the premier port and logistics chain integrator in the region.

The General Manager of Konecranes Pte Ltd, Mr Steve Gagnuss, says PenangPort shares Konecranes global best practices emphasizing the importance of preventive maintenance and continuous modernisation of equipment.

“For these activities, Konecranes has formed a global division, Konecranes Port Services, which provides service around the world and combines our port services resources in all major markets.

“This huge pool of experience enables us to apply locally through our on-site expertise the benefits of complete service for all makes and brands of port and harbour cranes.”

Konecranes is a world-leading provider of lifting and maintenance solutions, with a track record in pioneering, leading and shaping developments in the industry.

Konecranes South Asia Pacific region clients include Alstom, BHP Billiton, General Electric, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Lihir Gold, Siemens, Samsung Heavy Industries, Ratchaburi Power Station, Thaikraft, Toshiba, Uncle Tobys, Dung Quat Refinery, Shell Eastern Petroleum, IHI Corporation, Hwa Yew Iron Works, Univac Precision Engineering, Schlumberger, Sembawang Shipyard, Syscon Private Limited, Horizon Singapore Terminal, Land Transport Authority, Changi Water Treatment Reclamation Project,  and Tricaftan Environmental Technology.

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Visit: www.konecranes.com