Schoolgirls see cranes they named after Taylor Swift and Usain Bolt
A pair of creative schoolkids who won the chance to name two new cranes have been given a glimpse of the huge structures for the first time.
Avaleigh Lang, and Frances McFadden, both 11, were shown personalised ceremonial plaques on the 72m tall structures at the Port of Greenock during a tour by Peel Ports Clydeport, to recognise the pupils winning the port group’s crane naming competition.
Avaleigh, of the town’s Lady Alice Primary, chose Craner Swift as a nod to US pop icon Taylor Swift, while Frances, of nearby St Mary’s Primary School, opted for U-Crane Bolt as a tribute to Jamaican Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt.
They were chosen as joint winners after pupils in the town were asked to find the most imaginative names for the £25m ship-to-shore cranes, which arrived at the port this summer.
Primary seven pupil Avaleigh said: “The plaque is really cool. I’m a big Taylor Swift fan, and I’m really pleased people liked the name so much.”
Frances, also in primary seven, who did Usain Bolt’s signature victory pose as she was shown her personalised plaque, added: “I really enjoyed the tour and it’s great to think that plaque will be up there for years to come.”
Jim McSporran, port director at Peel Ports Clydeport, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Avaleigh and Frances to the port to show them the cranes for the first time.
“We’ve had such a positive response to the two names, and it was great to show them both their personalised plaques with their name on them, which will rightly be on these cranes for decades to come.
“Craner Swift and U-Crane Bolt are having a real impact already, significantly expanding our freight capability, as well as improving efficiencies and reducing our carbon emissions, so there’s a lot to be positive about at the Port of Greenock.”
The naming competition was run in partnership with Inverclyde Council. Dozens of suggestions were entered by pupils across the local area for the competition, with the port operator then choose the winning entries from this list.
The cranes arrived at the port in June this year and have been fully operational since July following stringent testing.
The port operator believes the cranes will help accommodate increased demand from cargo owners, and support growth in transatlantic trade, as well as future proof the port.
The west-facing freight port’s new infrastructure is already benefitting customers, with one vessel recently departing 13 hours earlier than planned because of the quicker turnaround time.
 and Avaleigh(right) pictured in front of the new cranes.JPG)