E-Crane Asia Supports Wet Season Maintenance on Metro Mining’s Transhipper Ikamba
February-March 2025 – Queensland, Australia
Metro Mining’s floating transhipper Ikamba has recently undergone essential service and maintenance during the region’s annual wet season shutdown, with critical work performed by E-Crane Asia’s experienced service team, Ari Anggodo and Bima Anggara Putra.
The Ikamba, a vital component in Metro Mining’s bauxite export operation at Skardon River, serves as the key link between shore-based operations and ocean-going vessels. Equipped with two state-of-the-art 3000 B-Series E-Cranes, the vessel enables highly efficient off-shore loading— crucial to overcome the logistical challenges posed by Far North Queensland’s remote location and challenging weather conditions.
These 3000 B-Series E-Cranes are specifically engineered for high-capacity bulk handling in marine environments. Featuring outreach up to 35.9 meters and lift capacities of up to 34 metric tons, they are ideally suited for transferring bauxite from barges to oceangoing vessels with speed, precision, and minimal downtime. Their equilibrium design ensures lower power consumption, reduced mechanical stress, and extended component life—delivering unmatched efficiency and reliability over long operational cycles.
During the wet season shutdown—a period marked by heavy rains and reduced shipping activity—the opportunity was taken to carry out comprehensive inspection and maintenance work. The E-Crane Asia service engineers focused on preventive and corrective tasks to ensure these critical machines remain in peak condition.
Ari Anggodo and Bima Anggara Putra executed detailed checks on the E-Cranes’ hydraulic systems, structural components, and electronic control units. They also conducted diagnostics on critical wear parts and implemented system updates to align the equipment with the latest operational standards.
“The shutdown period is a crucial window to conduct in-depth service without impacting daily operations,” said Anggodo. “Our goal was to make sure the Ikamba is fully prepared for the upcoming peak export season.”
Bima Anggara Putra added, “Working in a marine environment demands robust maintenance routines. We focused not just on current issues but also on ensuring long-term performance and minimizing unplanned downtime.”
Metro Mining’s reliance on the Ikamba transhipper has grown over the year as export volumes have increased, with a shipment forecast of 6.5 to 7.0 million WMT for 2025. The company’s confidence in E-Crane’s service capabilities highlights a strong partnership focused on safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.
With this successful service completed, the Ikamba was ready to resume operations at full capacity, supported by its dual 3000 B-Series E-Cranes—key enablers of its fast, safe, and sustainable transhipment operations.
“On behalf of E-Crane, I would like to sincerely thank the entire Metro Mining team for their excellent support, collaboration, and hospitality during this service period,” said Michaël Hamerlinck, Service Manager at E-Crane. “Their professionalism and teamwork made all the difference, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership in the future.”
