Blessing of the Cranes Event Celebrates the Beginning of a New Era for the Port of Gulfport’s Operations
Blessing of the cranes ceremony at the Port of Gulfport. From left: Port Executive Director, Jonathan Daniels, Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes, Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Glenn McCullough, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, ILA Local #1303 President, Darius Johnson, and Pastor Fr. Ryan McCoy of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
Photo/Port of Gulfport
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant joined port authority commissioners and local officials for a "Blessing of the Cranes" event May 19 at the Port of Gulfport.
"The addition of the gantry cranes represents an important milestone toward the completion of the restoration project at the Port of Gulfport," said the governor. "The cranes will benefit the port’s tenants for years to come and help attract new businesses and generate new investment."
The three gantry cranes, which arrived in Gulfport this past March, cost a total of $30 million, will be electrically powered by the local utility company, Mississippi Power, and will replace the current mobile harbor cranes. Each has a lifting capacity of roughly 65 tons and will handle bulk and breakbulk cargo as well as containers. The port authority expects they will be ready to work cargo by the end of June.
"The arrival and commissioning of the cranes showcases the importance of public and private partnerships and how they are critical to the successful modernization of the Port of Gulfport," said Jonathan Daniels, the port’s executive director and CEO. "This investment in our operations will not only facilitate continued growth for the port, but also insure our I.L.A. Local #1303 has some of the best tools to service our customers."
"The I.L.A. Local #1303 has been in existence since 1933 and a safety first mentality and strong work ethic has been passed down to the Longshoremen of today," said ILA Local 1303 president, Darius Johnson. "In my 22 years of working at the port, I have never seen the level of excitement our members had when the gantry cranes arrived and our Longshoremen are looking forward to having a prosperous future at the Port of Gulfport."
These three new ship-to-shore cranes at the Port of Gulfport are expected to be operational by the end of June.
Photos/Port of Gulfport