Gantry six is back online! The equipment was taken offline from January 11, 2023 until January 23, 2023 to allow the Port’s Equipment Maintenance and Repair (EQMR) Division to conduct scheduled preventative maintenance.

Although routine and regular maintenance is performed on the cranes, this is the first time a crane has been completely taken offline for an extended period of time since the cranes were acquired in 2012. The decision to conduct the maintenance on gantry crane six results from collaboration and synergy within the Port’s Operations and Maintenance Divisions and a greater relationship with the Port User’s Group.

“Operationally, we have arrived at this point where we can focus on the preventative maintenance of the Port’s assets to extend its service life,” said Port General Manager Rory J. Respicio. “By this notice, we would like to assure our community that we do not anticipate any prolonged delays resulting from this preventative effort. And, more importantly, to underscore why the Governor, Lt. Governor, our board, and management have prioritized the replacement of all three gantry cranes. This management decision ensures crane throughput and longevity so that the Port Authority of Guam does not become a choke point for discharging and deploying military and civilian assets and 90% of all commodities coming through our island’s only deep-water commercial port.”

Work on gantry crane six included the following tasks: Trolley rail repair, APEX legs corrosion control, maintenance on gantry drives, rental crane assistance for APEX legs, and corrosion control on boom splice plates. Once completed, maintenance and repair work will be performed on the other two cranes as well.

The scheduled maintenance and down time for gantry repairs was mutually agreed upon by both the Port’s Users Group and Management. The Port does not anticipate extraordinary delays as a result of the scheduled maintenance.

Overseeing both divisions, Port Operations Manager Glenn B. Nelson was appointed in August 2021 to also serve as Deputy Maintenance Manager. Since then, he has been in charge of both divisions, assuming additional responsibilities without additional compensation.

Respicio explains, “This move was necessary because of the retirement of the Port’s two top managers, Ernest Candoleta and Jorge Javelosa, leaving a void in the leadership and the need to merge Operations Division with Maintenance Division to provide more effective communication and collaboration between these two critical divisions.

Respicio says, “As such, we are grateful for Mr. Nelson’s willingness to step up and help bridge this gap operationally, albeit temporarily, and to help us identify and implement a long-term solution.”

Nelson has been the Operations Manager as of December 21, 2020. Since Mr. Nelson’s oversight of both the Operations and Maintenance Division, the Port has experienced the following accomplishments:

• Realigned functions in the form of merging the two divisions;
• Streamlined decision-making as it relates to the use of equipment against vessel operations;
• Ensured the availability of equipment;
• Established direct connection between these two divisions, as they are both interdependent of one another;
• Provided for structured maintenance of gantries that will be performed quarterly; and
• Facilitated the relationship between the two divisions.

Respicio adds, “Having our EQMR and Operation’s Divisions under one structure, headed by Glenn Nelson and every single port personnel within this structure, has seen the kind of collaboration and balance needed between the pressures placed on both operations and maintenance with every single Port operation. And how this synergy makes it possible to shift resources at a moment’s notice to address prevention and mitigation efforts simultaneously. We remain Port Strong because of our Port Family!”