Three more STS cranes delivered to Baltic Hub

On Wednesday 12 March, the last three of seven state-of-the-art STS (Ship-To-Shore) cranes as part of the terminal’s T3 quay expansion project arrived at the Baltic Hub deep-water container terminal in Gdansk on board the Zhen Hua 32 cargo ship.

The new STS cranes at T3 are among the tallest and most advanced in Europe. They are 96 metres high (140 metres with the boom raised), have an outreach of 74 metres (26 container rows wide) and can lift a container weighing up to 65 tonnes to a height of 55 metres. The cranes have been fully assembled ahead of the 29,500-kilometre sea journey to Poland in December 2024.

Interestingly, on the way to Gdansk, the Zhen Hua 32 trucker delivered two other cranes to the port of Rijeka, Croatia.

The first four STS cranes, which were delivered on board the Zhen Hua 36 heavy lift vessel in October last year, are now undergoing tests on feeder ships. The test call of a deep-sea vessel at the new quay will take place in early April.

In addition to the STS cranes, the T3 terminal at the Baltic Hub will be equipped with 20 automated aRMG cranes, which will optimise container handling and improve operational safety at the storage yards. These cranes will provide a more efficient and safer working environment as they are controlled remotely from the administration building, away from the yard. The 12 aRMG cranes have already been assembled and four of them are currently undergoing testing. The all-electric aRMG cranes will also contribute to supporting the Baltic Hub’s sustainability efforts, as they are powered by energy generated from renewable sources.

– The new STS and aRMG cranes will enable Baltic Hub to significantly increase operational efficiency and safety at the terminal and support the company’s sustainability efforts. The completion of T3 will not only meet the growing needs of international trade, but also strengthen Poland’s role in the global logistics network, said Jan Van Mossevelde, CEO of Baltic Hub.

T3 terminal expansion project

The new T3 quay, covering 36 hectares, is connected to the current quays at the Baltic Hub. When fully completed at the end of 2025, the Baltic Hub’s capacity will increase by 1.5 million TEUs to 4.5 million TEUs per year, making the terminal one of the largest container terminals in Europe. The 717-metre-long and 17.5-metre-deep quay will allow the terminal to handle the largest container ships in the world.

– The expansion of the Baltic Hub is a major investment in the future of global logistics. By the end of 2025, we will offer even more advanced and efficient container handling facilities. This development benefits the Polish economy, facilitates trade across the region and ensures that the Baltic Hub remains the best choice for global shipping lines,’ added Jan Van Mossevelde.

When fully completed at the end of 2025, T3 will increase the Baltic Hub’s capacity to handle the world’s largest container ships, strengthening its position as the leading container hub in the Baltic Sea.

Source: PortalMorski.pl
Photos: Baltic Hub press materials