A new crane has been delivered to the Port of Bar, acquired after a natural disaster led to the collapse of all three loading bridges, with damages estimated at €13.5 million, based on an expert report. The crane installation is currently in progress.

This information was shared with “Vijesti” yesterday by Ilija Pješčić, the executive director of “Luka Bar,” who indicated that the new mobile port crane was sourced from “Liebherr Rostock” GmbH, one of the leading manufacturers of port machinery in the world.

The crane for “Luka Bar” is valued at €5,929,000, which includes all associated fees, and its installation is projected to be completed by September 6. Financing for the purchase was secured through a loan from the Investment and Development Fund of Montenegro.

Designated as an LHM550 type, the crane has a nominal capacity of 144 tons and a maximum reach of 54 meters. It features advanced technological flexibility, capable of managing dry bulk cargo (with grab), general cargo (with hook), and containers (with spreader), making it suitable for the Terminal specializing in Dry Bulk, Liquid, and Special Cargoes—where approximately 75% of all cargo handling at the “Port of Bar” occurs.

“The operational introduction of the crane will mitigate the negative impacts stemming from the breakdown of coastal port machinery due to the natural disaster on July 2, 2024. I want to underline its role in boosting the current capacity for cargo handling on the ship-shore route,” stated Pješčić.

He added that this development will lay the technical and technological groundwork for enhancing daily transshipment rates and facilitate the simultaneous reception of multiple vessels.

“It is critical to note that the new crane will minimize risks linked to interruptions in the ship loading/unloading process caused by failures in coastal port machinery. Currently, we have only two cranes, one of which is nearing the end of its life cycle and is experiencing increased failure rates,” he explained.

The acquisition and upcoming operational deployment of the new mobile port crane will strengthen “Port of Bar’s” capability to meet obligations arising from previously established long-term contracts for port services in a reliable and competitive manner.

Among these contracts are services related to the transshipment and storage of copper concentrate for “ZiJin” from Bor and bauxite for “Uniprom metali” from Nikšić. The port will also fulfill an upcoming contract for the transshipment and storage of coal for the Serbian Electric Power Company, thereby bolstering “Luka Bar” AD’s position in attracting new clients, as noted by Pješčić.

Last month, he informed “Vijesti” that two cranes are essential for the full recovery of “Port of Bar” from the aftermath of the weather disaster, but funding for the second crane cannot be secured without assistance from the Government of Montenegro.

Despite promises from the Government in June to provide support, and their commitment to streamline processes, no financial aid has been received as reported in July by “Vijesti.”

Following the prescribed formal procedures, and after compiling the necessary documentation, “Port of Bar” submitted a request for financial assistance to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs in early June this year to address the immediate negative effects of the natural disaster of July 2, 2024.

“The document was reviewed by the Ministry and forwarded for a decision in mid-July,” stated Pješčić.

Initially, the Government of Montenegro did not commence the decision-making process regarding financial support for “Port of Bar” due to ongoing inquiries to assess whether the event resulted from a natural disaster or other causes.

The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Bar concluded last December that the damages were due to force majeure, and no actions by employees of the “Port of Bar” were deemed inadequate.

As the damage was confirmed to be a direct result of force majeure, “Port of Bar” was required to hire an independent appraiser to evaluate the impact of the natural disaster to complete the documentation for financial aid. This independent economic appraisal was submitted at the end of May this year, Pješčić reported.

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