W/BAY SHIPS GIANT CRAWLER CRANE

Informanté Namibia 23^rd January 2014, by Floris Steenkamp

At a mammoth 230 tonnes, the Liebherr LR1200 crawler crane counts among the most powerful cranes around for large construction projects.

Last week, Basil Read Mining had to ship its LR1200 from the port of Walvis Bay to the island of Saint Helena where it would be used for the construction of a permanent wharf at the island’s Rupert’s Bay. The wharf is key to the economy of the island and also instrumental for construction equipment and machinery for Basil Read Mining and Construction which also currently constructing the island’s first international airport.

The crane was dismantled into 33 separate sections and loaded onto the cargo ship NP “Glory 4”, destined for Saint Helena. The loading operations were complicated by the size of the dismantled units, as well as the sheer weight. The heaviest component of the crane, the base machine or car body, weighed in at a whopping 40 tonnes. Basil Read also loaded a truck and specially-designed flatbed trailer of Wesbank Transport on the ship, that would transport the crane on the island to the site where the crane is to be re-assembled for operations.

A temporary jetty had to be constructed by Basil Read on the island to facilitate the roll-on roll-off of discharge of cargo, including the disassembled crane units.

St. Helena Island is a British overseas territory and the airport currently constructed at the airport by Basil Read Mining and Construction is funded by the UK Department For International Development (DFID), at an estimated cost of £250 million (N$4.5 billion), including construction and operating costs for 10 years.)

It is expected that the airport be fully operational by February 2016. Apart from a major boost for tourism and downstream economic development for the island, the international airport would also be strategic for airlines operating cross Atlantic flight routes to Latin America, the Bahamas and the Southern United States. This includes using the Walvis Bay Airport as a last fuel stopover before crossing the Atlantic via the Saint Helena international airport.

Saint Helena also views Walvis Bay as a strategic point for imports and exports. A trade delegation from the island visited Walvis Bay in recent years, to discuss mutual trade and investment relations that would reach full potential once the airport construction project concludes.

See also: Fly here?