The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bridges and Tunnels announced the successful passage of the Zhen Hua 25 into New York Harbor on Oct. 19, marking the tallest vessel to ever pass under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
The Zhen Hua 25 carried four 227.4-foot cranes, setting a new record for bridge clearance and expanding cargo-handling capacity at Port Liberty Bayonne Container Terminal, according to a press release.
The MTA said traffic was briefly suspended on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge while tugboats guided the Zhen Hua 25 under the highest point of the suspension bridge at 4:05am. The specific timing of the transit was carefully selected based on tide predictions, wind forecasts and water levels, with a full moon creating optimal conditions for maximum bridge clearance.
“While the passage under the bridge took just a few minutes, weeks of coordinated planning and analysis ensured the trip was successful, without incident,” said Catherine Sheridan, president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels collaborated with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Sector New York, which led a diverse team of partners including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and New York City agencies.
The cranes are stationed at Port Liberty Bayonne Container Terminal and are expected to enhance the port’s ability to process containerized cargo from larger ships and support the area’s capacity to handle increasing global trade.
