Music and sport stars to grace Greenock's waterfront
Crane names will honour local kids' favourites
Last updated 27th Mar 2024
Global music and sporting icons have been chosen by schoolkids who were asked to dream up names for new £25 million cranes which will tower over the port of Greenock.
Avaleigh Lang, 10, of Lady Alice Primary in Greenock, chose Craner Swift as a nod to the US pop icon Taylor Swift.
Frances McFadden, 10, from St Mary’s Primary School suggested U-Crane Bolt as a tribute to the Jamaican Olympic gold medallist who also took part in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Primary six pupil Avaleigh said: “I’m a big Taylor Swift fan and I’m really pleased to win.”
Frances, also in primary six, added: “U-Crane Bolt made people in my class laugh, so it’s great to hear it was chosen as a winner.”
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Cranes arriving this year
Construction of the new 39m-tall cranes was completed in Ireland ahead of their arrival in the coming months to Greenock and they are expected they will be fully operational later this year.
The investment at the container terminal and comes less than a year after a new £20 million cruise ship visitor centre opened at Greenock Ocean Terminal.
READ MORE: Cruise giant calls in Greenock
Jim McSporran, port director at Peel Ports Clydeport, said: “We all loved Avaleigh and Frances’ suggestion for the names of our new cranes.
“The names give a nod to the capabilities of our new cranes, so they were the standout choices and really raised a smile within our team, and we hope interest within the wider community too.
“I’d like to thank all children that entered the competition. We would be really pleased to have Avaleigh and Frances as our guests when we unveil Craner Swift and U-Crane Bolt, which will become an important part of our local skyline for decades to come.