This project extended the berth at Washington United Terminals (WUT) by 600 feet to support two large new cranes the Hyundai Merchant Marine-owned terminal added in January 2009.
The 273-foot-high "super post-Panamax" cranes can serve a ship 24 containers wide, making the cranes among the world's largest. Built by Shanghai-based ZPMC, the cranes joined WUT's existing four cranes with an 18-container wide reach. See a slideshow of the crane's arrival.
PHOTOS: Watch the berth extension take shape on the Port's Flickr site.
Port commissioners in December 2009 authorized a $24.5 million contract with Manson Construction of Seattle to extend the wharf. Construction was completed in October 2011, with a formal dedication ceremony Nov. 1, 2011.
The total cost of the project was $32 million and includes construction, crane power modifications, permitting and design work. Construction work on the project through August totaled more than 55,000 labor hours, and payroll for the work during that same time period is estimated at about $4 million.
All project subcontractors were based in Pierce County. Subcontractors included Amaya Electric, Concrete Technology, Hayward Baker, Rhine Demolition, Scarsella Brothers, Skyline Steel and Tucci & Sons. Additional work included engineering design by Berger-ABAM and geotechnical design by GeoEngineers.