Yousef Mousa Cranes calls for better safety in Jordan

24 February 2011

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Indian contractor Afcons has hired Yousef Mousa Cranes in Jordan for testing of three cranes to be used in constructing a local phosphate terminal, despite the absence of national lifting safety legislation.

Yousef Mousa tested two crawler cranes, a 181t Kobelco CK2000 and a 250t Manitowoc 999 Series, in addition to a 60t EOT Sidarah gantry crane. The company used 23t girders as test loads.

Yousef Mousa completed testing to internal standards. "In Jordan, testing for cranes is done mainly by Lloyds, SGS and our company, Yousef Mousa Cranes. As for the government of Jordan, it has no legislation at all regarding crane testing and certification," general manager Yousef Mousa said. "I am working on this subject with the Jordanian Engineers Association,' he added.

The tested cranes will be used for piling in the Jordan's Phosphate Mines Company’s (JPMC’s) new phosphate terminal on the port of Aqaba on Jordan’s red sea coast.

JMPC’s new terminal, due for completion in early 2012, will produce 4m t of phosphate per year, some of which will be exported and the rest of which will be made into fertiliser at a local facility.