Associated Terminals capped off the largest investment in company history with the christening of the derrick barges Ability and Attitude. Associated managed to complete this project not only on a tight schedule, but also in the midst of one of the most difficult economic recessions on record.
The decision to embark on this significant construction project was reached after much discussion and analysis. However, the decision on naming the cranes was reached with ease. In keeping with the company’s motto, “The Ability and Attitude to Accomplish Anything,” Associated chose to recognize and honor the contributions of every employee with the naming of these cranes.
Associated President David Fennelly spoke of how the slogan came to be more than a decade ago. As with any company just starting out, Associated sought to create marketing materials and a slogan to assist in business development efforts. A marketing firm was hired to handle this task and as part of the process interviewed every employee. The firm reported back that, without hesitation, our employees had an undeniable passion for the industry and this young company that fostered a feeling that they had the ability and attitude to accomplish anything. “It is this spirit that our employees have maintained from the early days with only one floating crane to becoming an industry leader on the Lower Mississippi River,” stated Fennelly.
The event was held on a beautiful day where more than 400 customers, vendors, employees and friends gathered for the christening celebration. Rear Adm. Mary Landry, commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District, spoke to the audience and presented the U.S. colors. Thomas Hagen, Board Member of Demag Cranes and Gottwald Port Technology, traveled from Düsseldorf Germany to address the crowd, congratulating Associated on taking delivery of their third and fourth Gottwald cranes. Johnny Conrad, Co-Chairman, President & CEO of Conrad Industries, expressed his company’s pride in being a part of this exciting project having built the new barges.
The Ability and Attitude are identical GHPK 6400 B mobile harbour cranes supplied by Gottwald Port Technology. Both barges, which measure 250’x72’x12’, were built by Conrad Industries. Hyundai loaders and trackhoes for each crane were supplied by State Machinery, while Wintech supplied the electric winches.
The cranes rotate 360 degrees on a pedestal, have 164 feet of boom, 125 tons of counterweight and the operator cab sits 72 feet above the water. Each crane is powered by 1,490-hp Cummins engines supplied by Cummins Mid-South. The cranes are self-lubricating and self-fueling. The barges have 21 watertight holds, load capacity of 2,000 pounds per square inch on the deck, built-in entry stairwells on each side and two 10,000 gallon fuel tanks.
Each crane is equipped with two loaders and two trackhoes featuring Tier III low-emission engines and sealed wiring systems to prevent corrosion. Additionally, each crane is outfitted with two Piener buckets (24 yard and 40 yard) and one 11 yard grapple bucket.
This significant investment is yet another example of AT’s commitment to provide best in class equipment for both employees and customers. It further underscores the determination of Associated Terminals to continue to build upon its position as the premier stevedoring company operating on the Lower Mississippi River.
