Tulsa Port of Catoosa achieves best of both worlds

Refurbishment of the 200 US ton crane at Tulsa Port of Catoosa helped this inland US port to continue to serve its existing users cost-efficiently while expanding logistics capabilities for the future.

The Oklahoma Port, which typically handles more than 2.7 million tons of freight a year, is served by a sophisticated multi-hoist 200 ton bridge crane which had to be stripped and renovated.

Whiting Corporation was selected to modernise the crane to increase safety and reliability as the centerpiece of the new port facilities created by the port over the last two years, including a new 720 ton dock where the crane is located and 6,000 feet (1,829 metres) of new rail.

Working with port staff, Whiting Services put in 46 consecutive 10-12 hour days, including weekends and Thanksgiving, to complete the modernisation project.

The 100 foot (30 m) span double girder refurbished crane features two trolleys, each with a main and auxiliary hoist: one with a capacity of 100 ton / 50 ton and the other with a capacity of 100 ton / 40 ton. With lifting heights of more than 90 feet, the crane is integral to tasks such as loading barges that can hold up to 15 rail cars or 60 truckloads of cargo for maximum cost efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

Freight moves through the port using barge, rail and truck, often in combination, employing transportation assets such as the docks, terminals and the 1.5 mile (2.4 kilometre) channel on which they are located. Shippers are now able to load barges directly onto rail or truck, or effectively trans-load between truck and rail, creating a seamless and cost-effective logistics operation for companies ranging from break bulk to manufactured project cargo.

Refurbishment was preferred to building a new crane because of the time and expense involved in constructing a totally new crane with all the features and versatility already contained within the structure of the original purpose-built crane.