South Africa’s Port Elizabeth Container Terminal has acquired a ZAR240 million (USD12.6 million) ship-to-shore (STS) crane as it looks to increase its agricultural and automative container throughput and to accommodate larger vessels.

Port Elizabeth is owned by eastern Cape Terminals and managed by Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) which in March announced it would invest ZAR3 billion (USD157.5) to boost equipment availability and operational efficiencies at its container terminals.

At the time, TPT revealed it had acquired 20 straddle carriers and nine rubber-tyred gantries (RTGs) for its operations at Durban Container Terminal.

The new STS crane for Port Elizabeth has been supplied by Liebherr Africa and replaces another STS which has reached its end-of-life after 35 years.

Equipped with new technology, the new STS is positioned at the terminal’s edge and includes increased lifting capacity.

Port Elizabeth Container Terminal, Transnet chairperson, Andile Sangqu says of the acquisition: “The arrival of the ship-to-shore crane represents far more than just a logistical milestone; it symbolises Transnet’s unwavering commitment to efficiency and reliability”.

“Investments in critical equipment are central to Transnet’s drive to overcome operational hurdles, improve efficiency and fulfil its crucial role in South Africa’s logistics ecosystem,” Sangqu continues.

“In an operating environment that demands agility, efficiency and precision are non-

negotiable. Transnet recognises that reliability and improved responsiveness are the

foundation of mutually beneficial long-term partnerships because every minute counts and

delays can have profoundly negative consequences.”