Ocean tugs support GCT Canada's C$170M container terminal upgrade

Group Ocean’s tugboats are supporting the delivery of new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes at a major western Canada port run by Global Container Terminals (GCT).

Canada’s largest container terminal, south of Vancouver, in British Columbia, is replacing 12 STS cranes to expand its capacity and extend its operational life.

The first six STS cranes arrived at GCT Deltaport in late April on board heavy transport vessel Zhen Hua 23, with its arrival and docking supported by three Group Ocean tugs.

This delivery marked a major milestone in the C$170M (US$123M) crane enhancement and replacement project at GCT Deltaport.

In the latest delivery, a tugboat used its towing line to slow down Zhen Hua 23, while the other two manoeuvred the ship towards the quayside. When it was almost along side, tugs pushed Zhen Hua 23 to the quay ready to unload the cranes.

These ZPMC Megamax cranes were safely offloaded at the terminal in Tsawwassen and will be commissioned over the next three months.

Another shipment of STS cranes is expected in 2027 and will again be escorted, manoeuvred and docked by Ocean’s tugs. In total, this multi-year replacement programme will include eight Megamax and four Super post-Panamax ZPMC cranes.

GCT operates two Canadian gateway terminals: GCT Vanterm in Vancouver and GCT Deltaport in Delta, with the capacity to handle more than 3M TEU.