Guam’s port cranes back online after 100 mph collision chaos
All three ship-to-shore gantry cranes at Guam’s only commercial port are operational again.
Guam’s sole commercial port has fully restored its crane operations after a severe windstorm disabled all three of its ship-to-shore gantry cranes for over two weeks.
The Port Authority of Guam confirmed that the last of the cranes, Crane 5, returned to service on Tuesday following repairs, testing, and recertification. It was the final unit to come back online after Crane 4 resumed operations on October 5 and Crane 6 on October 14.
Collision caused by extreme winds: Guam
The disruption began on October 2 when Crane 6 broke free during powerful gusts, traveling approximately 1,000 feet along the dock before crashing into Cranes 5 and 4. Wind gauges at the port recorded speeds of around 100 mph, though no injuries were reported during the incident.
Despite the outage, cargo handling continued using remaining equipment, including mobile cranes and vessels’ own lifting gear. However, the reduced capacity led to longer working times for ships and disrupted schedules.
Aging infrastructure raises long-term concerns
The three gantry cranes, all over 40 years old and acquired second-hand in 2009, are nearing the end of their expected service lives. The Port Authority has been seeking funding for replacements, emphasizing the port’s critical role in both island supply chains and U.S. military logistics.
An investigation into the accident is ongoing. The incident has intensified concerns about the reliability of the aging equipment, particularly as Guam recently faced additional disruptions from Typhoon Champi, which temporarily restricted vessel movements in the harbor.
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