Gulfport, Mississippi – A new ship-to-shore gantry crane arrived at the Port of Gulfport on Thursday, an addition that will help grow business for the Port and increase the impact on local and state economies.
“The arrival of this new crane represents a shift from decades of restoration of the Port of Gulfport to a future focused on economic growth, jobs and opportunity for the Gulfport community,” said Port of Gulfport CEO Jon Nass. “This investment reflects the strength of our partnership with Ports America and underscores the importance of public-private investments that are transforming not only our Port, but also the regional economy and the state of Mississippi.”
The Port’s new ship-to-shore crane stands 300 feet tall, weighs 1,500 tons and is 75 feet taller than the current cranes. It will be able to handle vessels up to 19 containers wide, compared to the current reach of 18.
“Ports America is honored to mark another milestone in our longstanding partnership with the Mississippi State Port Authority at the Port of Gulfport,” said Matthew Leech, President and CEO of Ports America. “The arrival of the new ship-to-shore crane underscores our commitment to investing in Gulfport’s infrastructure, creating quality jobs and workforce development opportunities and strengthening the Port’s role as a critical hub for maritime commerce and economic growth along the Gulf Coast.”
The crane will be unloaded from the vessel two days after it docks. In addition to the Port’s crane, the vessel is transporting four other cranes that will continue to different destinations once unloading here is complete. The ship is expected to depart the Port of Gulfport by Monday, and its presence will not disrupt regular port operations.
About MSPA
Established in 1902, the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport is primed for growth after a $1 billion restoration project reached completion in 2022. In 2023, the Port of Gulfport signed an agreement with Ports America, the nation’s largest stevedoring
company, which includes a $43 million investment into the development of a currently vacant terminal on the Port. The purchase of a new gantry crane was part of this investment. The Port of Gulfport is centrally located on the Gulf of Mexico, with easy access to Interstate 10, excellent class 1 rail connections, and the ability to service a
majority of the US market within 24 hours. As the second-largest U.S. importer of green fruit, Gulfport offers a strong market for refrigerated cargo, with established weekly vessel calls from Central America and thriving domestic and international business connections.
About Ports America
Ports America is a leading diversified port operator and supply chain logistics provider in North America with operations in over 70 locations and over 30 ports across the United States. Operations cover a wide range of supply chain services including container, RoRo, breakbulk, military, auto processing, and cruise ship operations. Ports America is a leader in generating Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the U.S. seaport industry, working closely with Port Authorities to address unique labor, governance, funding and additional critical aspects of each port system. Ports America is headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey.
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