Ngqura Container Terminal prepares for super post panamax vessels with STS cranes capable of handling upwards of 200,000 TEU’s per year

Ngqura Container Terminal is making headway in reaching its TEU-handling capacity targets, having recently commissioned two new Super Post Panamax Cranes from Liebherr.

The Transnet operated Ngqura has a current handling capacity of 800,00 TEU’s per annum and is expected to reach 1,500,00 TEU’s by 2013/2014 and 2,000,000 by 2019. The increasing STS cranes at the port are helping Ngqura follow in the footsteps of Durban, Africa’s busiest port.

“We are delighted to have delivered and commissioned these cranes in Ngqura,” said Liebherr Container Cranes’ sales and marketing manager Gerry Bunyan.

“The first Liebherr ship to shore crane commenced operation for Transnet in 2004. Since then we have worked very closely with Transnet supplying ship to shore cranes that have been an integral part of their conditioned growth. The acquisition of the Liebherr cranes for the Ngqura Container Terminal will help to meet projected growth in the port’s volume demand.”

The terminal now has eight Liebherr STS cranes. These new cranes have an outreach of 52 meters and can handle up to 200,000 TEU’s per year. They have a lift height of 37 meters under spreader. Hoist speeds are 70-175 meters per minute, trolley is 220-240 meters per minute and the crane can travel 37 meters per minute.