'Craner Swift' and 'U-Crane Bolt' arrive at Greenock port after being named by school pupils

The second of two £25m cranes to arrive in Inverclyde – dubbed ‘Craner Swift and ‘U-Crane Bolt’ – has docked at the port of Greenock.

The two 932-tonne structures were transported to the Peel Ports facility on the River Clyde after journeys lasting a day from Cork in Ireland where they were built.

The new 72m tall ship-to-shore cranes were named earlier this year in a competition by primary school children – with ‘Craner Swift’ and ‘U-Crane Bolt’ coming out on top.

Avaleigh Lang, ten, of Lady Alice Primary in Greenock, chose the nod to the US pop icon, while Frances McFadden, ten, of St Mary’s Primary School opted to pay tribute to the Jamaican Olympic gold medallist.

Jim McSporran, port director at Peel Ports Clydeport, said this month: “It’s a really special moment to welcome the first of our two new cranes to the Port of Greenock.

“These two structures will be transformational for the port, significantly expanding our freight capabilities here, and we’re all really excited for having them fully operational later this year.

“Once installed they will also boost efficiency and bring more opportunities for global connections and worldwide trade into Greenock, further strengthening our position as a major port for importers and exporters.”

The cranes are the largest single investment made at the container terminal and comes less than a year after a new £20m cruise ship visitor centre opened at Greenock’s Ocean Terminal.