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Known for Crossing Oceans with the Swedish Bridge Guldbron on Board, the Ship Zhen Hua 33 Reappears in 2024 Transporting Five Colossal Cranes Over 80 Meters High on Alternative Route to the Suez Canal
The Port of Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands, continues to reap the side effects of the geopolitical crisis affecting the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Last week, it welcomed the impressive Chinese-flagged ship Zhen Hua 33 (IMO 9808223), carrying no less than five large harbor cranes, manufactured in China and destined for the Egyptian port of Damietta.
Originating from the Asian giant and navigating alternative routes to the traditional Suez Canal, the freighter drew attention when it docked in Las Palmas for refueling—an operation that involved 2,600 tons of fuel oil and another 540 tons of diesel, according to information from the Port Authority of Las Palmas.
International Participation and Unique Capabilities of Zhen Hua 33
More than just a simple transport vessel, the Zhen Hua 33 is considered a true colossus of naval engineering. Capable of partially submerging, this semi-submersible ship from the Chinese state-owned ZPMC has participated in complex logistics projects around the world. One of the most emblematic cases occurred in 2020, when it was responsible for carrying the gigantic “Guldbron”—a golden bridge 140 meters long—from China to Stockholm, Sweden, crossing the planet with a structure of over 3,700 tons on board.
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This historic operation demonstrated the versatility of the Zhen Hua 33, which, in addition to cranes, is able to transport oil platforms, sections of power plants, and even other ships. The fact that the freighter is making stops at strategic ports like Las Palmas reinforces its role as a key player in global maritime logistics in times of geopolitical uncertainty.
Impact of the Red Sea Crisis on Global Navigation
Since the end of 2023, armed conflicts in the Yemen region and attacks on commercial freighters in the Red Sea have forced many vessels to avoid the Suez Canal route. As a result, various ships are opting for alternative paths, such as going around the African continent via the Cape of Good Hope, which has economically benefited strategically positioned ports like Las Palmas.
According to UNCTAD, the passage through the Red Sea experienced a 42% drop in container volume between January and March 2024, which has forced shipowners and logistics operators to reorganize their routes. The port of Las Palmas, due to its prime location in the Atlantic, has stood out as a logistical support point for refueling and crew rest.
The Ship Zhen Hua 33 and Its Monumental Engineering Cargo
The Zhen Hua 33 belongs to the fleet of the Chinese state-owned company Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (ZPMC), one of the largest manufacturers of port equipment worldwide. The harbor cranes transported by the ship are of the STS (Ship-to-Shore) type, used for loading and unloading containers at large maritime terminals, essential for the efficient operation of transshipment ports like Damietta in Egypt.
According to data from MarineTraffic, the Zhen Hua 33 measures 232 meters in length and has a beam of 42 meters, with the capacity to transport oversized equipment. The cranes being transported are over 80 meters tall, weighing hundreds of tons each, and are designed to accommodate Post-Panamax type vessels.
Las Palmas: Strategic Port in the Atlantic
The presence of large ships like the Zhen Hua 33 highlights the growing strategic importance of the port of Las Palmas in the global logistics scenario. With infrastructure ready to accommodate mega vessels and provide rapid bunkering, maintenance, and supply services, the Canarian port consolidates its position as a key point in the new maritime geography affected by tensions in the Middle East.
According to the Port Authority of Las Palmas, the increase in the number of diverted ships has been accompanied by logistical improvements and investment in port services, aiming to capture new permanent trade routes arising from instability in other regions of the globe.
Os chineses estão vivendo em uma outra dimensão em outro estágio de evolução.
Este mix de socialismo é capitalismo e é o futuro.
Grua é o ****, o nome disso é portainer! É usado em portos como o de Navegantes por exemplo, para movimentação de conteiners
Maravilha ! Gostaria de poder apreciar de perto esse gigante chinês ; decisão inteligente , capacitar o porto à altura desses novos tempos !