The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A CRANE that caught fire and sustained hurricane damage last year at the Freeport Container Port was dismantled on Tuesday and will be disposed of, a spokesperson for the company said Wednesday.

The transshipment terminal is expecting the arrival of three new cranes early next year.

The crane, which was dismantled around 1pm on Tuesday, caught fire in April 2016. It incurred further damage in October 2016 as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

“Crane three was destroyed and written off as it’s from the original fleet over 21 years,” said the spokesperson, who reported that the appropriate decision was one of replacement and not repair.

The deconstruction was handled in house and headed by the engineering department.

All safety precautions were taken, the official said. Industry partners were notified by the FCP of the activity.

FCP, which is owned and operated by Hutchison Ports, is undergoing a $300m expansion, with construction to begin in September/October this year.

It is the largest container port in the region and one of the largest employers on Grand Bahama.

The spokesperson said that Hutchison Ports remains committed to the growth and development of Grand Bahama island. Safety for all and the protection of the environment are a priority, he said.