Overreaching
We saw this report on the 1st of May:
“Port Newark Container Terminal enhances container handling capabilities” – and the story goes on to say, “The Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT) has announced the addition of three super-post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes to the terminal.
“These cranes will be able to accommodate larger vessels and will improve the terminals capacity, creating economic growth within the region.
“‘PNCT has acquired three new ZPMC super-post Panamax cranes, which are scheduled to arrive in early May, with commissioning completed by late August/early September,’ said PNCT president James Pelliccio.
“‘These cranes have significantly improved capabilities. They can accommodate some of the largest vessels that will be deployed in the US trades post Panama Canal expansion. The cranes are capable of handling 14,000+ TEU vessels, are 22 wide and have a 65-tonne twin 20′ lifting capacity.’…
“As one of the largest infrastructure projects in New Jersey, PNCT is investing more than $ 500 million in its expansion before the year 2030. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will invest up to an additional $ 100 million in improvements to the PNCT facility …
“PNCT has also taken delivery of three new rail-specified, rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes as part of the next phase of the terminal’s on-dock rail yard expansion, a change from its current reach stacker operation.
“Located on the Newark Bay, PNCT maintains 19 percent of the market share in the Port of New York and New Jersey, the largest container port on the East Coast.” —
And just last week we saw this headline: “Tampa Bay seeking PP gantry cranes”— “(13 June 2014) – Port Tampa Bay has announced that it is seeking post-Panamax cranes as part of US $ 12 million plans to expand container throughput …
“Port Tampa Bay container terminal has a throughput of around 250,000 TEUs/year. Ultimately, it is envisaged this will be expanded to achieve a one million TEU throughput on a site spread over 160 acres. The port authority hopes the introduction of the new cranes will help Tampa Bay attract cargo that hitherto has been going through out-of-state ports.” —
Get the picture? U.S. consumers can barely make ends meet and are buying (demanding) less and less from overseas manufacturers (suppliers). But by forcing these same consumers to send their money (and jobs) overseas to buy multi-million dollar pieces of container handling equipment, this unconscionable spending will be “creating economic growth”? “Gullible” is the word.