An abandoned giant container crane is being dismantled in Tenerife

The last giant container crane, which stands alone in the old La Candelaria container terminal in the port of Los Llanos, will soon disappear from the skyline of the capital of Tenerife.

Due to the crane's severe wear and tear, the port authority has decided to dismantle it. This machine once reached 70 meters in height and could lift up to 35 tons of cargo. But it has been out of service for fifteen years, ever since the company that owned it closed down in 2010.

Antonio Herrera, a port worker with 41 years of experience, recalls what it was like to work in those days: "Two of the three cranes (2nd and 4th) were brought in 2003, and the 6th, which is now being dismantled, in 2004. They could lift up to 35 tons, and it was a big step forward for the port. Previously, the cranes only took six containers in width, but these took up to twelve. And we could operate all three cranes simultaneously on one vessel, which was not possible before."

Herrera adds that they had to "work hard to widen the crane supports and make wider tracks, because the old ones were two-lane, and these were three-lane for unloading. It was a big step forward, very important for the port and for the company."

He also shared an interesting fact: the cranes were brought from Israel, they were lighter and more autonomous. Contenemar used three such cranes in this area of the port of Tenerife.

The Pageco G6 crane, Mark model, operated at the La Candelaria terminal under a concession granted in July 1995 and terminated in February 2011. Such cranes are needed to load and unload containers from ships to shore. They have a metal structure on rails that can move along the pier. And their boom can extend over the ship to reach containers from different locations.

The President of the Ports of Tenerife, Pedro Suárez, explained that the dismantling of such a large object requires special care. Therefore, a sixteen-stage plan has been developed to ensure that everything goes safely. The main goal is "to ensure that the structure is strong during dismantling and that there is no risk to workers and the environment."

Work has already begun. First, the electrical and mechanical systems will be disconnected, then the metal structures will be dismantled. Each element will be securely fastened for subsequent recycling or waste disposal.

According to the port authority, two additional cranes are involved in the operation. They will start by removing small parts, such as the engine room, the spreader (a device for gripping containers) and the control cabin. It is important that the structure does not lose stability during dismantling, which is why a detailed plan is needed.

The dismantling project is being carried out by Reciclajes y Demoliciones Industriales JM, S.L. The works are scheduled to be completed by September 5. The cost of the project is 256,121.3 euros.