Subic port gets 2 new gantry cranes

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Senior executives of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) are enthusiastic about the arrival today of two gantry cranes from Japan which they said would further position the Subic Freeport into a world-class economic hub.

SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga said the gantry cranes are arriving at the Leyte wharf where the Subic port development project is underway.

Salonga said the acquisition of the new gantry cranes is part of efforts to expand the capacity of the Subic port from the present 100,000 TEUs (20-foot container equivalent units) to at least 600,000 TEUs.

Last March, Salonga led an SBMA delegation to Japan to finalize the acquisition of four gooseneck-type quay gantry cranes with a capacity of 40.6 tons rated load each.

SBMA administrator and chief executive officer Armand Arreza said the Subic port needs "fast and efficient cranes" to load and unload heavy equipment from ships as well as materials and supplies for the P1-billion Hanjin shipyard project and the $300-million high-tech glass production of China-based Hebei Jingniu Group in the Freeport. — Bebot Sison Jr.