Port Commission approves request to purchase crane

VANCOUVER, Wash.- With an eye on the very near future, the Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners today voted unanimously to authorize staff to purchase a second mobile harbor crane.

After the commission’s vote, the port’s Executive Director Larry Paulson is authorized to work with the port’s marine and operations department in putting together a request for proposals, and begin the process of purchasing the new crane.

Specifications of the new crane are expected to be similar to those of the Liebherr mobile harbor crane that the port bought in 2006. That crane is the largest mobile harbor crane in North America.

Since 2006, the Port of Vancouver has become globally recognized as a wind power and project cargo port for regional, national and international projects. As a result of the port’s success in attracting additional wind and project cargos, a second mobile harbor crane is needed to ensure the port can meet its commitments to current and future customers.

In 2005, the port handled the import of 83 complete wind turbines, which created roughly 13,000 hours of Longshore work at the port. In 2007, the port handled 305 complete wind turbines and 120 additional tower sections, which created more than 72,000 hours of Longshore work.

With the projected growth of wind energy development across much of the United States, the port expects to see similar growth in the amount of wind cargo it will handle in coming years.

“Renewable energy is recognized as being an efficient, cost effective, clean, environment friendly form of energy,” said the port’s Senior Director of Marketing & Operations Alastair Smith. “Thirty states have now enacted renewable energy requirements. Washington State must reach 3 percent renewable energy by 2012; 9 percent by 2016 and 15 percent by 2020; exclusive of hydro power.

“Oregon has a goal of 25 percent by 2025; inclusive of hydro power,” Smith said. “Today, Washington State has just over 1,000 megawatts of power from wind energy which translates to 2 percent of the energy in the state. Oregon is just below the 1,000 megawatt mark, or 3.5 percent.”

With all of the wind energy activity in 2007, the port found its Liebherr heavy lift crane to be extremely efficient and productive. By adding the second crane, the port will be able to perform simultaneous truck loading and ship unloading, or unload multiple ships at the same time, building on the efficiencies the port has already established with its first mobile harbor crane.

As indicated in the approved 2008 Port of Vancouver budget, $2,405,000 is authorized for expenditure in 2008, with the balance planned to be paid in the first quarter of 2009.

At A Glance
Who: Vancouver port commission, Brian Wolfe, Nancy Baker, Jerry Oliver
What: Authorization to purchase a second mobile harbor crane
When: Tuesday, May 27, 2008, 9:30 a.m.
Where: Port of Vancouver USA, Commission Room
Quick Facts: The commission authorized, in a unanimous vote, port staff to issue a request for proposals in the process of purchasing a second mobile harbor crane.

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About the Port of Vancouver USA

While working on some of the most important port development on the U.S. West Coast, the Port of Vancouver USA is cooperating with its tenants and customers to schedule and maximize business potential during construction. The end result will show why the port is “On Track to the Future,” as the completed developments will mean expansion of business and resulting new jobs for the community.

The Port of Vancouver USA, created by Clark County taxpayers in 1912, is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast. Its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a dependable labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community.

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