Components for the first two of four ship-to-shore cranes, the most expensive pieces of equipment in the terminal’s operations, have been delivered to the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2.

Valued at ZAR242 million each (USD13.4 million), the new STS cranes from Liebherr will replace the cranes which have been in use at the terminal for more than 20 years.

The first of the STS cranes is expected to be operational in October 2025 with the remaining STS cranes in service by November 2025.

Terminal operator Transnet explains each crane has a 65T twin-lift capacity, with a seaside rail outreach of 65m to the centre of the spreader and a lifting height above the quayside of 43m.

The new STS cranes have been engineered with an offset land-side bogie, allowing for adaptability from the current 28.5m rail gauge to a 30.48m, facilitating possible relocation to other berths at the site.

“The South quay has been under immense pressure due to the limitations of our aging crane fleet,” Durban Terminals managing executive Earle Peters explains. “The arrival of these Liebherr cranes marks a major step forward in restoring reliability, boosting productivity, and ensuring we meet the evolving demands of global trade.” 

The acquisition of the cranes is part of a fleet renewal process underway at DCT Pier 2, where the aging fleet is being replaced with state-of-the-art equipment.

DCT Pier 2 recently took delivery of 20 straddle carriers, 40 haulers, 22 forklifts, 26 trailers and two reachstackers, of which some have been handed over to support ongoing operations and improve cargo handling capacity. 

In the last 18 months, a total investment of approximately ZAR1.5 billion (USD83 million) has been spent in equipment replacements at the country’s biggest and largest container facility “in a bid to unlock trade and ensure South Africa’s competitiveness globally”.