The Port of Felixstowe has awarded Konecranes UK a contract to upgrade four ship-to-shore gantry cranes.
The increase in size of container ships means that the 18-year old Morris cranes are no longer big enough. They are being jacked up 3m and new leg sections are being added.
Konecranes UK is working in partnership with German sister company Noell KonecranesPort Services, which has carried out similar work in the past. Lasers are being used by the engineers to ensure the alignment of the crane is the same after the lift as it was before.
As well as the height increase, each crane will have its elevator access altered, all travel motors rewired, auxiliary hoist ropes replaced and hoist motors removed for overhaul.
Work began on site in September and the first two are set for completion this month. The last one is scheduled to be finished in February 2004.