By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

THE Port Authority of Guam appears to be having problems with its recently acquired mobile crane.
Although the crane was back in use yesterday, Horizon Lines officials said the mobile crane was down for at least two hours Tuesday night.
The shipping officials, led by Horizon Lines executive vice president John Handy, were at the port Tuesday night to celebrate the deployment of the Horizon Hawk, the first of five new, U.S.-flag vessels that will enter the carrier’s Guam service. (See related story on page 16)
Handy had nothing but praise for the PAG workers but he said the shutdown of the mobile crane focuses on the need to further upgrade equipment at the port.
The mobile crane, purchased for $3.6 million from the Jurong Port in Singapore, arrived on Guam last February. It is being used as an interim replacement for Gantry Crane 1, which was decommissioned by the port in March 2006.
Prior to the crane’s operation, PAG employees received specialized training from Mid Pac Far East and crane manufacturer Leibherr on how to operate the mobile crane.
The mobile crane also underwent testing from port maintenance workers and specialists from the crane’s manufacturer.
Last month, the crane passed a checklist of tests and the manufacturer concluded that the crane is operating “within its capacity and scope.”
Testers did detect one minor problem which had to do with some “vibrations” recorded during the crane’s operation. But port officials said the purchase of the crane carries with it a two-year warranty that will cover any problems.
Handy, a former four-star general who served as commander of the U.S. Transportation Command and the United States Air Mobility Command prior to joining Horizon Lines, said the continuing equipment problems at the port may be solved by privatization.