DP World is investing 200 million euros in automatic stacker cranes for the Antwerp Gateway Terminal and creating extra annual capacity of 1 million TEU.
DP World is investing 200 million euros in automatic cranes for the Antwerp Gateway Terminal. The two first modules with the newest generation stacker cranes kicked into action several weeks ago. By 2026, a further 15 modules with stacker cranes and 4 quay cranes will be added. As such, the terminal will be highly automated (or entirely semi-automatic).
The cranes stack six containers on top of one another with a laser and camera system. This is twice as many containers than the current straddle carriers – known as ‘elephants’ – can stack. Moreover, the new cranes place the containers just 40 cm apart, whereas the current straddle carriers need 1.6 metres to get through. As such, the investment will create extra annual container capacity of 1 million TEU. That will bring the terminal's full yearly capacity to 3.4 million TEU.
The cranes are electric and get their green energy from a wind turbine and, most of all, from a biogas power station on site. This fits in with DP World's ambition to be fully CO₂ neutral by 2050. When it comes to transport on the waterside, the terminal uses straddle carrier drivers.
DP World's investments are a great example of how companies at Port of Antwerp-Bruges are tackling the container capacity challenges until the ECA project provides additional solutions in 2030.
The Container Plan 22-30 consists of strategic interventions to optimise capacity and operational functioning. This is how Port of Antwerp-Bruges intends to remain the European container port of choice.
Want to keep up to date about everything that's going on in the port? If so, subscribe to one or more of our newsletters. You will then receive updates about the latest developments and events directly in your mailbox.
