On 24 September 2007, YICT signed a contract with Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery (Hongkong) Co., Ltd. to place an order for eight additional dual-hoist, tandem-lift quay cranes for the Expansion Project. The technical specifications for the new cranes will be the most advanced in the world. They are scheduled for delivery by 2008.
To cope with the growing trend of ever larger container vessels being deployed by the shipping industry, YICT has raised its standards not only in constructing its port facilities, but also in deploying equipment. According to YICT's engineers, the new dual-hoist, tandem-lift cranes, like the other quay cranes that are currently in operation at the berths, are already some of the world's largest and latest terminal handling equipment. Weighing over 2,000 tons each and an outreach of 65 metres, enough to span 23 rows of containers, these cranes are capable of handling the world's largest container vessels.
The order placed for these eight cranes will be the last for the Expansion Project, which will have a total of 30 cranes. Among them, 27 cranes are capable of lifting two 40-foot containers at the same time. And this will have been the first time that a port has put such dual-hoist quay cranes to operation on a large scale. Presently, YICT is taking initiatives to optimise its operating processes. Utilising leading dual-hoist quay crane technology is expected to substantially improve vessel productivity at the terminal.