Timor Port, a subsidiary of Bolloré Ports, received two tugs, two STS gantries, and four RTG gantry cranes for the Tibar Bay deep sea port concession allowing the port to handle large-capacity vessels.

Bolloré said in a statement that the delivery was made on a semi-submersible vessel specialised in gantry transportation.

It noted that the two new STS gantries will enable the terminal to unload large container ships with increased handling speed. The four RTG gantries, each 30-metres high, will handle the loading, unloading, and stowing of containers at the terminal.

The tugs, meanwhile, are designed to perform port towing operations and they assist large ships entering and leaving the port, as well as their docking.

At 30 metres long, Bolloré said these new Timor Port tugs are equipped with a propulsion system that allows them to push and pull ships.

Transshipment hub plans

"Commissioning these two tugs, two STS gantries, and four RTG gantries will allow us to effectively get our container terminal up and running and support our customers. They are also part of our vision to make Tibar Bay a transshipment hub and a major maritime gateway to the Asia-Pacific region," said Laurent Palayer, managing director of Timor Port.

Bolloré noted that the new machines are equipped with the latest technology. This includes a state-of-the-art control system, and a new-generation power supply system that significantly reduces CO2 emissions and energy consumption.

In addition to the high environmental standards of the future terminal, the new equipment is part of the Green Terminal certification process designed to reduce the carbon footprint of operations.

Olivier de Noray, Ports and Terminals managing director of Bolloré, said these pieces of equipment, will be deployed for the first time in Timor-Leste.

"These will make it possible to handle large-capacity ships, with loading and unloading rates higher than those observed in the current port of Dili. The delivery of this initial equipment is a major step in the construction of the terminal, which aims to improve logistics services in Timor- Leste," de Noray said.

Entrusted to Bolloré Ports in 2016 following an international call for tenders, the project represents a total cost of US$490 million over a period of 30 years, ranking as the largest ever to be completed in Timor-Leste with a private partner.

Bolloré said this port platform, which meets international standards, will be equipped with the most modern container handling and general cargo equipment, which will enable container ships of more than 7,000 TEUs to be operated.