The $4 million crane boosts the port’s container-handling ability and will facilitate adding more containerized services, a release said.
The second crane will play a vital role in preparations for increased shipping expected from the Panama Canal expansion, said David L. McDonald, the port’s executive director, in a statement.
The purchase was made possible through a public-private partnership between the port authority, the Florida Department of Transportation and Logistec USA Inc., the company that partnered with the port for its first crane purchase in 2007.
FDOT is providing a grant for half the crane’s cost, and Logistec is contributing an equal share.
The crane, which is expected to be operational at the port by October, will be titled to the authority. Logistec will handle operation, maintenance and insurance for the crane through a lease/mortgage arrangement with the port authority.
The agreement guarantees the port a positive cash flow during the 15-year life of the partnership, the release said.
Logistec USA is a subsidiary of Montreal-based Logistec Corp.
