Port of Blyth orders Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 MHC

(Posted on 20/01/22)

The UK Port of Blyth, a leading offshore energy support base and important hub for the movement of a range of dry bulk, project, containerised and break bulk cargoes, has ordered an eco-efficient Konecranes Gottwald ESP.6 Mobile Harbour Crane for the newly refurbished Bates Clean Energy Terminal in the North East of England. Booked in October 2021, the crane is scheduled for fully erected delivery in April 2022 and will be the first Generation 6 crane to be delivered to the UK.

The Port of Blyth handles a wide range of cargo across three major terminals, with a key focus on supporting internationally significant projects and mobilizations in the offshore energy sector. Ideally positioned midway between Aberdeen and Great Yarmouth, the Port is home to a mature supply chain of offshore energy related businesses and is considered a one stop shop for all energy related activities carried out in the North Sea.

“With a key focus on delivering an ambitious decarbonization strategy over the coming years, we were looking for a solution to help us achieve that goal. We are keen to put Konecranes’ renowned and innovative eco-efficient electric drives to good use. Our recently modernized quay at our flagship Bates Clean Energy Terminal now has mains access, so the crane can operate fully on electricity. Their ESP.6 mobile harbour crane suits our requirements perfectly,” says Alan Todd, Port Director at the Port of Blyth.

This Generation 6 Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbour Crane is equipped with an external power supply. Thanks to its electrical design concept, efficiency increases when connected to the harbour mains. It completely eliminates local carbon emissions and reduces noise to an absolute minimum. In addition, a smart power management system recovers energy from braking and lowering movements which can then be re-used by other crane functions, or alternatively fed back into the harbour mains, as needed. The crane also offers the flexibility to be operated on nearby quays not yet connected to the mains, with its state-of-the-art onboard diesel generator set.

“This is the first mobile harbour crane that Blyth have purchased from Konecranes. We’re delighted that our industry-leading experience with electric drive systems has enabled us to provide exactly the right solution for their needs. We are sure that this Generation 6 crane will deliver both productivity and increased sustainability to the Port of Blyth and go a long way in supporting their clearly stated environmental goals,” says Jon Haden, Business Development Manager for Konecranes Port Solutions.

The new crane is a Konecranes Gottwald ESP.6 Mobile Harbour Crane supplied with a working radius of 49 m and a capacity of 125 t. Its long reach, high working speeds and strong lifting capacity curves will add efficiency and precision to the delivery of large offshore wind farm components and high value project cargo – while improving the environmental credibility of the port.

This contract is part of Ecolifting, Konecranes’ vision to increase its handprint – meaning the beneficial environmental impact that can be achieved with our product and service portfolio – while reducing customers’ carbon footprints. From eco-optimizing diesel drives, to hybridization and fully-electrified fleets, we will continue to do more with less.