Keeping ahead of the competition
St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo stated from Dusseldorf, Germany that St. Maarten Harbour Crane Company will be investing in new crane technology in order to continue to offer highly efficient cargo operations at the Port of St. Maarten.
"The cargo facilities at our national port need new efficient cranes that can continue to meet our high operational demands, while at the same time looking at the long-term by able to service the larger vessels. I want to be ahead of the competition," CEO of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies Mark Mingo said on Monday.
Crane 1 at the cargo facilities of the Port of St. Marten was purchased in 2001, or 13-years ago. The cargo port currently uses the older model – 260 – which is less fuel efficient, handles less load capacity and is relatively more expensive to maintain.
The St. Maarten harbor Group of Companies has been upgrading its facilities in order to offer the best of services to cargo lines and clients who use the cargo terminal area on a daily basis. Close to 100 per cent of the country’s produce and products comes through the cargo section at the port.
Maintenance dredging is done on a regular basis in order to keep the water depth at a safe level for cargo vessels. Additional crane operators have been hired in order to meet the cargo sectors growth spurts while there has been an increase in mechanical and electrical support that would enhance safe operations.
"Having a professional team at the cargo operations is necessary when you cater to these international vessels. We have increased crane operators from three to six. They are all locals, well trained and highly motivated: Ramses Flanders, Romeo Gumbs, Jerry Nicholson, Andy Daflaar, Erick Evertsz, and Michael Edwards," Port of St. Maarten CEO Mark Mingo said on Monday.
Mingo visited a factory of crane manufacturer Gottwald in order to look at new crane models and to find out what new innovative technologies exist. The cargo port would like to improve performance.
Mingo said on Monday that he was very excited after receiving a presentation about the efficiencies of the new crane. The crane is also a hybrid whereby it can also work on electricity allowing for late night operations because it’s so silent to operate.
"The new crane model that we are looking at is also environmentally sound which falls into our philosophy as a port with respect to green thinking and being innovative by using green technology in order to have a sustainable port. The crane uses hybrid technology that reduces the level of energy, cuts or avoids completely exhaust gas emissions and minimizes noise emissions," Port CEO Mark Mingo said on Monday.
The Gottwald Model 6 crane from a technology perspective is more advanced than the current models in use at the Port of St. Maarten, which uses old technology and software. Model 6 also offers larger lifting capacities; maximum hoisting speeds; maximum radius speeds; has more reach and is more efficient resulting in a saving in operational costs for the port.
Gottwald is the market leader in Mobile Harbour Cranes with over 1400 machines in more than 100 countries around the world.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Left to right, St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies Supervisory Board Director Humphrey Mezas, Andreas Moeller, Sales Director Crane Solutions Gottwald Terex, and CEO Mark Mingo.