The Port of Iberia celebrated a significant advancement in Gulf Coast cargo handling capabilities Monday with the christening of the Creole King, a state-of-the-art electric barge-mounted stevedoring crane designed to increase efficiency while dramatically reducing environmental impact.
Standing 75 feet tall with a 125-foot reach, the Creole King features the largest E-Crane of its kind in North America and can lift up to 52 tons. The EC30382 PD-E from the 4000C Series is equipped with interchangeable clamshell grabs specifically designed for continuous-duty operations along inland and coastal waterways.
"We studied the market for bulk material handling equipment that offered a combination of performance, ease of maintenance and operation, and energy efficiency, and E-Crane checked all the boxes," said Scott Becnel, director of business development for Cooper Consolidated, which operates the crane.
The electric powertrain reduces fuel consumption by approximately 80% compared to traditional cranes, according to E-Crane USA CEO Steve Osborne.
"It takes about the amount of diesel in a wineglass to move a ton of cargo," Osborne said. "The result is a dramatically lower environmental footprint that benefits us all."
The Port of Iberia invested more than $6 million through Louisiana's Port Priority Program to support the project, refurbishing infrastructure to accommodate the new technology.
Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois called the crane a catalyst for economic opportunity throughout South Louisiana. The project has already created 12 new jobs, with expectations of expanding to 50 positions as more cranes are built.
The Creole King joins its sister crane, the Pelican, commissioned in December 2024. Both are designed to work ships up to Panamax size, reinforcing Cooper Consolidated's position in cargo handling on the Mississippi River, which serves more than 90% of America's agricultural exports.
"This isn't just a machine—it's a milestone," Osborne said.
