The Cook Islands Ports Authority’s new crane in Aitutaki will lift the current weight restriction of 20 tonne to 25 tonne, allowing importers and the people of the island to add more tonnage of goods to containers.

The new mobile SANY 90 tonne crane – model SANY SRC900T – is to assist Ports with its ongoing shore side handling of ship containers and cargo on the southern group island, offloading containers and all other cargo from the barge to the shore at Arutanga Harbour.

Okesene Moananu, Cook Islands Ports Authority chief executive officer, said Ports procured a higher tonnage crane (90 tonne) to comfortably offload containers and cargo.

“The crane is a critical piece of equipment for ship (cargo) operations in Aitutaki… if the crane does not work, it is difficult to get goods (food and essential supplies) and fuel to the people of Aitutaki,” he said.

The new crane replaces the old 1982 Grove TMS 3500-II crane which has served the people of Aitutaki since 2010.

The weight restriction of 20 tonne has been in place for all containers and loads for Aitutaki due to the decreasing capacity of the old crane.

“The old crane was having a number of mechanical issues which was costing Ports Authority a significant amount of money to keep running,” Moananu said.

Moananu said the Ports Authority is likely to sell the old crane through a competitive process.

Tenders requested for the supply and delivery of the new 90 tonne mobile crane for Arutanga Harbour was advertised in April 2023, the amended tender closing date was extended to Friday, May 12, 2023.

A New Zealand company, Portstar (Magee Machinery), that specialises in the supply and service of heavy ports machinery, and is also the Pacific regional agent for SANY, was awarded the tender.

The crane was purchased from China, brand new out of the SANY factory.

Moananau said Portstar provided technicians to assemble and commission the crane, and there will be on-going technical support available to Ports Authority for the crane.