Two massive container cranes arrived fully assembled at the Port of Tacoma Nov. 20. The cranes are destined for the 171-acre Pierce County Terminal, home to Evergreen Marine, Hatsu Marine and Lloyd Triestino. In 2004, five identical cranes arrived as this $210 million facility was nearing completion. The terminal opened in January 2005.

Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery (Group) Co., Ltd. (ZPMC), a leading manufacturer of cranes and large steel structures, will deliver the cranes. The cranes are shipped across the Pacific — fully assembled — welded to the deck of a specially designed ship. The fully assembled cranes are actually welded to the vessel and the ship ballast system allows for negotiation of heavy seas.

Among the largest in the world, the cranes are nearly 25 stories tall with the boom down. The cranes have a 209-feet (23-container) outreach — enough to span the 23 containers and the largest containerships afloat today.

These cranes also feature the highest horsepower of any container crane in the Puget Sound. The electric motors generate 1,340 hp on the main hoist. With the greater lifting power comes greater efficiency. The hoist speed of the new cranes is 295 feet per minute with a container; 590 feet per minute without a container. All cranes at the Port of Tacoma are electric powered, not diesel — and do not produce diesel emissions.

For more information, visit portoftacoma.com.