Two weeks ago, the BigLift Baffin left Cork Harbour loaded with three 6,000-tonne Liebherr ship-to-shore (STS) megamax container cranes, the biggest single objects ever shipped out of Ireland. The vessel has now arrived at its destination, in Elizabeth, New Jersey’s Maher Terminal.
Upon the safe completion of its 12-day Atlantic crossing, the BigLift Baffin and its impressive cargo had to negotiate sailing under several bridges, on its way to Maher Terminal. The vessel was first anchored by the Verrazano Bridge in Gravesend Bay, where it waited for low tide, and attracted much attention from Brooklyn residents.
At 12:30 PM, it was able to sail up the Hudson River to the Kill Van Kull River where it was able to inch its way under the Bayonne Bridge. From there, it headed North and reached Maher Terminal after approximately an hour of sailing. Moran ShipYard tug boats guided the BigLift in these manoeuvres. The BigLift Baffin is currently moored in New York.
Map of the path taken by the BigLift Baffin (Photo: E. Dailey)
According to Liebherr, these newly imported ship-to-shore (STS) megamax container cranes will take their place alongside eight other Liebherr STS’ already at Maher Terminals. These cranes will serve to help the terminal achieve net zero emissions by 2040, as well as handle the world’s largest container vessels.
