High Winds Trigger STS Crane Runaway at Port of Guam
The Port Authority of Guam is working to restore its STS gantry cranes after a high-wind incident put all three cranes out of service and disrupted critical port operations.
At about 9:30 p.m. Friday, gusty winds caused Gantry Crane 6 to become “dislodged from its secure position” and roll approximately 1,000 feet along the quayside rail system. It then struck Gantry Cranes 5 and 4, causing both cranes to roll several hundred feet down the dock. Crane 6 went off the rails after the impact, while one wheel of Crane 5 also came off the rail.
Port Crane Recovery Efforts
Port experts attempted to inspect the cranes and begin recovery work on Saturday, but persistent gusty winds made the operation too dangerous. Work was therefore postponed until Sunday because of safety concerns.
“Our immediate priority is to safely assess the condition of all three cranes and determine the steps necessary to restore operations,” Respicio said. “Our gantry crane mechanics, operations personnel and management team are mobilizing early Saturday morning. We will focus our resources on safely returning available equipment to service while developing the operational plan necessary to support the upcoming vessel schedule.”
Recovery efforts resumed Sunday, when the team reported progress. Heavy equipment was used to move Crane 5 away from Crane 4, creating space for crews to work on returning Crane 4 to service.
Crane 4 remained on the rail system after the incident and appeared to be in the best condition for a quick restoration to service.
Wind Gusts Reached 100 mph
The port reported that onboard wind gauges on the cranes recorded gusts of 100 mph at the time of the incident. The weather forecast had called for gusts of 50 mph.
The incident demonstrates the operational risks that high winds can pose to large rail-mounted container terminal equipment. The priority for the Port Authority of Guam is now to assess the condition of each crane and safely restore available cargo-handling equipment.
Despite the crane incident, the port has not changed its scheduled cargo operations. The next two vessels calling at the port are carrying roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) cargo, which can be unloaded without the affected STS gantry cranes.
Aging Cranes were Already Scheduled for Replacement
The three Hitachi cranes involved in the incident are older units and were already scheduled for replacement.
Last year, the Port Authority of Guam secured a $60 million federal Port Infrastructure Development Program grant to fund three newly built STS cranes. The port is providing an additional $15 million from its own reserves.
Read:U.S. Coast Guard Suspends Search for Nine Missing Boaters in Federated States of Micronesia
The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended
The three existing in-service cranes date to the 1980s and will eventually be removed. Two older and smaller cranes also remain on the waterfront, but they are out of commission and awaiting demolition.
The planned investment in new port infrastructure is intended to replace the aging equipment already operating at the facility.
Strategic Role of the Port of Guam
The Port of Guam has a strategic role in U.S. maritime logistics because Guam is a major outpost for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.
According to the Port Authority, approximately 30% of the cargo passing through the commercial port is related to military operations.
With recovery work underway, the port is focusing on the safe assessment of the affected cranes, restoring available equipment and supporting the upcoming vessel schedule while maintaining cargo operations.
