Craner Swift: First of new £25m cranes named by Scots pupils arrives at Greenock port

Craner Swift – named by local school children in Inverclyde – is the first of two £25m structures to arrive at the port of Greenock.

The first of two 932-tonne structures was transported to the Peel Ports facility on the River Clyde on Sunday following a one-day journey from Cork in Ireland where it was 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.

The port operator spent £25m on the two new cranes, with the second of the structures is due to arrive in the coming weeks and months.

The pair were praised for their creative choices by port owner Peel Ports Clydeport, who ran the competition in partnership with Inverclyde Council. Supplied

Jim McSporran, port director at Peel Ports Clydeport, said: “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.