The Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 has received components for the first two of four ship-to-shore cranes, ensuring their readiness to efficiently handle increased container volumes during this year’s Christmas season. The ship-to-shore cranes load and offload containers on calling vessels and are the single most expensive piece of equipment in terminal operations – valued at R242 million each.
DCT Pier 2 has been renewing its fleet with state-of-the-art cargo handling equipment to ensure an improved service for its customers, with long-term contracts in place for the purchasing and maintenance of terminal equipment.
Managing Executive at the Durban Terminals, Earle Peters, said, “The South quay has been under immense pressure due to the limitations of our ageing crane fleet. 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 new cranes will replace the old cranes that have been in operation for over two decades, with the first two ship-to-shore cranes planned to be operational in October 2025 and the other two in November 2025. Each crane boasts a 65-ton twin-lift capacity, with a seaside rail outreach of 65 metres to the centre of the spreader. The lifting height above the quayside is an impressive 43 metres. Additionally, the cranes have been engineered with an offset landside bogie, allowing for adaptability from the current 28.5-metre rail gauge to a 30.48-metre rail gauge, facilitating possible relocation to other berths in the future.
DCT Pier 2 recently took delivery of 20 straddle carriers, 40 haulers, 22 forklifts, 26 trailers, and two reach stackers, some of which have already been handed over to support ongoing operations and improve cargo handling capacity. Over the last 18 months, a total investment of approximately R1.5 billion has been spent on equipment replacements at the country’s biggest and busiest container facility in a bid to unlock trade and ensure South Africa’s competitiveness globally.
