Board Approves Modernization Of inree rori m Bammoro vranes

Governor William Bonald Schaefer announced the Board of Public Works' approval of a contract to modernize and improve the efficiency of three container cranes at the Maryland Port Administration's Dundalk Marine Terminal in the Port of Baltimore.

Maryland-based Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Inc. was approved for the $9.5 million contract. It will increase the productivity and extend the life expectancy of the cranes by 20 years. This will be the first major modification of the three cranes. The improvements include providing new programmable digital controllers, motors, diesel electric generator sets, wiring, elevators and other modifications, resulting in an increase in trolleying and hoisting speeds. The cranes will be capable of handling 30 container moves per hour, up from the current average of 22 moves per hour.

Expected to be completed by the spring of 1995, the upgrading of the three IHI-made cranes continues the modernization of the 570-acre Dundalk facility, the port's largest general cargo terminal.

The Board recently approved the purchase of a $7.4 million container crane, which, when brought on line next year, will give Dundalk 10 container cranes.