An ongoing programme to upgrade and expand the container-handling capacity of the APM Terminals’ global terminal network will receive a big boost with the order of 16 new advanced rubber-tyre gantry cranes.

Twelve of the RTGs are scheduled for delivery to APM Terminals Algeciras in Spain, while the remaining four are destined for APM Terminals Apapa, Nigeria – with delivery in one year.

The four RTGs ordered for APM Terminals Apapa, the busiest container terminal in West Africa, will bring the total fleet to 14 RTGs. APM Terminals has invested $220 million in Apapa since taking over the concession in 2006.

The new 16-wheeled RTGs, to be manufactured by Konecranes, will offer a lifting capacity of 41 tonnes and the ability to manoeuvre containers into stacks five containers high.