Watch: Three humongous, high-rise sized cranes arrive in Auckland from China

October 3, 2018

Three humongous container cranes, each taller than the Auckland Harbour Bridge and many city centre high-rises, have arrived in Auckland's Waitematā Harbour today.

The 82.3-metre-tall, 2100-tonne contraptions will stay anchored offshore until Friday, at which point they'll be unloaded and eventually put to use by Ports of Auckland.

"We need bigger, faster cranes so we can keep up with Auckland's growth," said Ports of Auckland spokesman Matt Ball. "The ships that bring our goods from overseas are getting bigger, so we need to make sure we can handle them.

"With these new cranes, and the new deep water berth they will sit on, we'll be able to handle the biggest ships coming to New Zealand."

The machinery, which will be put to use at Ports of Auckland, is anchored offshore until Friday.

The Chinese-made machinery  - each just taller than the HSBC building in downtown Auckland, or about one-quarter the height of the Sky Tower - began their journey from Shanghai three weeks ago.

They are nearly twice the weight of the port's current cranes and will be the first in New Zealand to be able to lift four containers at once. They will also be the first in New Zealand to be remotely operated.

In a world first, they will be able lift containers of different heights at the same time, Mr Ball said.

SHARE ME

More Stories