Amman: Aqaba Ports announced the completion of a project to upgrade and maintain two mobile cranes in collaboration with the German manufacturer, Konecranes Retrofit. The project cost JD600,000 Jordanian dinars, which was significantly less than the JD12 million that would have been required to purchase two new cranes.
According to Jordan News Agency, the maintenance project adhered to the approved procurement system due to the equipment’s age of over 20 years. Mahmoud Khleifat, Director-General of Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management, emphasized that the upgrades were crucial to maintaining safety and operational reliability at the port. The enhancements included updates to the metal structure, lifting systems, hydraulic and electrical systems, as well as control systems and software.
Khleifat stated that the operations have elevated the two cranes to specifications that match the 2023 model, despite the manufacturer’s previous assessment that they were out of service. Each crane now boasts an operational capacity of approximately 100 tons per hour. Comprehensive technical inspections were conducted with supervision from manufacturer experts, and an independent inspection company was engaged to ensure the safety and efficiency of the procedures before commissioning the equipment.
A mobile crane is crucial for handling, loading, and unloading heavy cargo in ports. It offers high flexibility and can efficiently operate under various conditions, making it indispensable in the port’s operational framework.