All three gantry cranes are back on the rail system, according to the Port Authority of Guam, which noted cargo operations and recovery efforts continue simultaneously.
Gantry cranes 6, 5 and 4 each had to be returned to the rail system after a high-wind incident dislodged and damaged the cranes Friday night. Since then, the port has been in recovery mode.
"The Port reached another recovery milestone Tuesday with Gantry Crane 6 successfully returned to the rail system. Gantry Crane 5 was returned to the rails Sunday, meaning all three of the Port’s gantry cranes are now back on the rail system," the Port said in a release Oct. 6.
Though back on the rail system, recovery efforts are not complete.
“Getting Gantry 6 back on the rails is another major step forward for our team,” Port General Manager Rory Respicio said. “There is still work ahead to restore Gantries 5 and 6 to service, but we are making progress while continuing to carry out vessel operations. Our focus remains on safely restoring our equipment and keeping Guam’s cargo moving.”
Throughout the recovery, the port has maintained cargo operations. On Tuesday, the Matson Lurline "tied down at 7:46 a.m. and began roll-on/roll-off cargo operations."
“Today’s operations demonstrate exactly what our team has been working toward since Friday night, keeping the vessel sequence moving while we restore our crane capacity,” Respicio said. “Cargo operations are underway and our employees continue working around the clock to keep the Port moving while restoring our remaining equipment.”
According to the Port, Matson, the preventive maintenance contractor for the gantry cranes, and Smithbridge are supporting the recovery efforts.