Philippines-based global container terminal operator, ICTSI, has purchased two mobile quay cranes for its subsidiary terminal in Syria, the Tartous International Container Terminal (TICT).

Manufactured by Austria's Liebherr-Werk Nenzing, the two new LHM 400 mobile harbour cranes are said to be the first to provide specialised over-the-quay container handling in Syria.

Each crane features a 41-ton lifting capacity under the spreader, and the ability to service panamax vessels with 13 rows of containers on deck.

The new cranes were used by TICT before the arrival of two ship-to-shore gantries that will be ordered by the Tartous Port General Company (TPGC) and delivered in 2008.

The new cranes come after ICTSI signed in November 2006 a 10-year concession to operate the Tartous International Container Terminal, a facility situated on the North Quay, Pier B, at the Port of Tartous. The terminal has a 540-metre quay and 250,000-square metre back-up area.

ICTSI said in a statement that it plans to invest US$39 million through TICT in the new terminal over the lifetime of the concession.

Aside from equipment purchase, other investments are also underway to improve the terminal's superstructure, landside container handling equipment, container terminal management system, human resources and training.

Tartous is the first port in Syria to permit overseas companies to operate container handling facilities amid forecasts that container ports in the country and the Middle East region will experience "sustained strong growth" as a whole. The Port of Tartous has experienced 12 per cent growth in volume over the past decade.