advertisement

---

Earlier this month, the Port of Baltimore took delivery of four “super post-panamax” cranes, which will be installed at a newly constructed 50-foot container berth at the Seagirt Marine Terminal.

The 400-foot-tall cranes, which are considered the largest of their kind in the maritime industry, can reach 22 containers across on a container ship and lift 187,300 pounds of cargo, port officials said in a prepared statement. The Seagirt Marine Terminal currently operates seven “post-panamax” cranes that can reach 18 containers across a ship. The electric super-post panama cranes will be installed and operational by September, port officials said.

The port completed construction on its new 50-foot container berth earlier this year, making the Baltimore facility one of two East Coast ports to feature a 50-foot berth and 50-foot channel — key factors in attracting the world’s largest container ships, they said.
  
The new cranes and 50-foot berth are key elements of a 50-year agreement between the Maryland Port Administration and Ports America Chesapeake that was signed in 2010. Under the pact, Ports America handles daily operations at the 200-acre Seagirt Marine Terminal and provides funds for necessary infrastructure improvements, including the new berth and cranes.

The port is served by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway, while Canton Railroad Co. provides switching services.