Vicente Boluda will preside over the presentation of the new gantry crane at the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma tomorrow

Almost two months after its arrival at the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma, Boluda Maritime Terminals (BMT) is preparing for tomorrow, Thursday, September 10, the official presentation of the new gantry crane, which will contribute to the better growth of the island's economy, as it will allow for increased loading and/or unloading operations of containers and accommodate larger vessels when maritime traffic requires it, among other factors.

The event, which will take place starting at noon at the container terminal of the La Palma port, will be attended by the president of Boluda Corporación Marítima, Vicente Boluda Fos. The Valencian shipowner is one of the most important and prominent figures of the last fifty years, and in recent years he has managed to position himself as the world leader in the port towing sector and has strengthened maritime connectivity that guarantees a significant part of the needs and demand of the Canary Islands.

Vicente Boluda Fos is accompanied by his son Ignacio Boluda Ceballos, executive chairman of Boluda Shipping, and Javier Climent Melián, general manager of Boluda Shipping, among other executives from the powerful Valencian shipping group. Both are two prominent personalities in the maritime sector, which gives us an idea of the importance that Boluda Corporación Marítima places on the event that will take place tomorrow in Santa Cruz de La Palma.

The event will be attended by the top island authorities, the mayor of the capital city, and the president of the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, among other personalities, as well as clients, transporters, and other representatives.

This is a Panama gantry crane from the Paceco company, manufactured in Spain, with a maximum load capacity of 40 tons on the hook or 35 tons with a spreader. The maximum reach of the arm on the sea side is 38.7 meters and the maximum height over the dock is 27 meters. The total approximate weight of the crane is 580 tons, with the legs weighing 75 tons and the boom 65 tons.

According to information obtained by puentedemando.com, the crane —which comes from the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife— has updated Operational Safety improvements since 2019, when a complete update and refurbishment was carried out, with the corresponding certifications, which includes a new operator cabin and also features two lifting brakes in case of storm.

Photo: José Ayut Santos for puentedemando.com