Swiss equipment manufacturer Liebherr has entered into a 10-year agreement with South Africa’s Transnet Port Terminals to supply modern materials handling equipment.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Under the deal, Liebherr will supply Transnet with four large ship-to-shore cranes for the Port of Durban and 48 rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes for use at Durban and Cape Town terminals.

The four STS cranes are currently being assembled in South Africa while the first of the RTGs are already in service at the terminals, with the remainder to be delivered in batches over the coming months.

The agreement also includes a 20-year asset management program for the equipment including maintenance and repairs, which has seen Liebherr invest in the development of a new Competence and Distribution Centre in Durban.

Liebherr says this includes the Liebherr Technology Campus, a training and innovation hub offering professional training and customised solutions for Liebherr equipment and business skills. 

Liebherr is also upgrading its customer service setup in Cape Town.

Transnet Port Terminals chief executive, Jabu Mdaki, says: “This partnership agreement is a testament to our commitment to delivering world-class service to our customers and keeping South Africa’s ports at the forefront of global trade”.

“This partnership reflects a shared vision for the future of port infrastructure in South Africa,” he adds.

“Together with Liebherr, we are working to strengthen our relationship and foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and mutual growth. Our joint efforts are focused on ensuring that South Africa’s ports remain competitive, resilient, and at the forefront of global trade.”