Massive cranes for Port of Oakland shipped into San Francisco Bay

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Cranes that rank among the largest in the U.S. were shipped into the San Francisco Bay this morning.

The cranes will allow the Port of Oakland to handle massive container ships.

Transporting the cranes was a delicate operation as the crane booms were lowered in order to fit under the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge.

Stevedoring Services of America ordered the cranes from Shanghai-based ZPMC. The new cranes have lift height of 174 feet above the dock. They would be able to reach 225 feet across a ship's deck. When the crane booms are in the raised position, they will soar more than 400 feet above the wharf. SSA operates 10 cranes at Oakland International Container Terminal. The Port said it would remove three older cranes from the terminal when the new ones arrive.

SSA's investment in the three new cranes is estimated at $30 million.

The ship will remain anchored near Treasure Island until the cranes are installed at a later date.