TDI -- Reporter's Blog
Jan. 26, 2009 at 9:53am
'Super Cranes' on Commencement Bay Today
The Port of Tacoma announced this morning two 'super cranes' from China are scheduled to arrive in Commencement Bay today at noon.
I won't be able to make it out to the Port headquarters public observation tower (a great view of the bay and port operations), but I plan to head over to Fireman's Park downtown to see if I can take some pictures. If I'm successful, check the blog this afternoon for photos.
In the meantime, here's a picture of the two super cranes leaving Shanghai, China. According to the port, the orange cranes will be dropped off in Tacoma. The blue cranes are headed to Chile:
( Photo courtesy Port of Tacoma )
*UPDATE | 1:20 p.m.*
I went out to Fireman's Park a little bit after 12:00 p.m. and Commencement Bay was empty. About 25 minutes later, the cranes started to appear just beyond the tip of Brown's Point . . .
From there, the ship moved toward the center of the bay before making a turn toward the Port of Tacoma . . .
A couple sail boats cruised in for a closer look . . .
As of this writing, it's still out there. If you have a view of the bay or the tide flats, check it out. I know there are others out there with better cameras. Feel free to link to your photos.
 by KevinFreitas on 1/26/2009 @ 10:39am | Wow, amazing they ship those as-is. Amazing pieces of machinery. |
 by Mofo from the Hood on 1/26/2009 @ 12:19pm | The ship will be rounding Brown's Point in a matter of minutes. Why those tall cranes don't capsize the ship...it's an amazing site. |
 by NineInchNachos on 1/26/2009 @ 12:23pm | Thanks Todd! |
by Mofo from the Hood on 1/26/2009 @ 12:40pm | Man, you could tow at least 100 parasailors off those orange booms. |
by Mofo from the Hood on 1/26/2009 @ 12:45pm | Those are some super-jumbo bunji cords holdin' them cranes on the deck. |
by Mofo from the Hood on 1/26/2009 @ 12:50pm | They're on the red ship with the big black letters Z P M C. |
 by TDI-Reporters-Notebook on 1/26/2009 @ 1:00pm | I just returned from a freezing hour or so at Fireman's Park. It's a pretty cool site out there on Commencement Bay. Downloading some pics now and will update the post in a few. Anyone else have any pics they want to share? |
by Mofo from the Hood on 1/26/2009 @ 11:19pm | MOFO NEWS NETWORK 11:15pm Update for the Uplate:
The Z P M C which arrived in Commencement Bay from Shanghai, China early this afternoon is still anchored outside of waterway docks. Confirmation is pending on the report of bay taxi's delivering Chinese take-out. In a related story, the Shanghai Cafe in downtown Tacoma has not yet opened. Reports of contractor crews shrinking daily have been dismissed as speculation. The Z P M C has listed its next port of call as Chile. |
 by Nick on 1/27/2009 @ 9:21am | I can't believe those cranes were shipped fully assembled! There must be some value in having Chinese engineers assemble it before sending them over - I cant imagine the added cost shipping such an awkward package would be. What a logistical nightmare!
On the other hand, although the cranes look like they're hanging waay past the ship's deck, I suppose they were engineered to stand that way indefinitely. I'm sure they were engineered to be perfectly balanced when in that position. But still! |
by Mofo from the Hood on 1/27/2009 @ 4:51pm | Hey what up? Looks like the crane order is sailing away. |
 by Dave_L on 1/27/2009 @ 6:27pm | (No one was there to sign for it? Postage due?)
I can't find it, but in 1998 the TNT had a big article when the four black Hyundai cranes by the observation tower arrived, similarly all one one ship. Impressive back then, but I guess more commomplace these days. They look awkward, but I'm sure the center-of-gravity of the ship and cargo is deceptively quite low. (The CG of the Space Needle is just about at ground level.) Oh - here's an archived article on that 1998 deliver, but no photos: FindArticles - Massive Cranes Will Sail Into Port of Tacoma Business Wire, Nov 10, 1998 |
by Mofo from the Hood on 1/27/2009 @ 10:16pm | Apparently the ship anchored over by Vashon Island. The reason will probably remain secret within the hidden councils of Tacoma. |
by Mofo from the Hood on 1/28/2009 @ 10:03am | No ship of cranes visible this morning. |
by Dave_L on 1/28/2009 @ 12:09pm | Pirates? |
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A blog following news and features published in the Tacoma Daily Index newspaper.
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