The acquisition of four new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, at a cost of R967 million, to enhance operations at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2, reinforces Transnet’s commitment to improving its service offering through investing in new equipment.
This is according to Transnet Group Chief Executive, Michelle Phillips, who explained that the new equipment will enhance the terminal’s operational efficiency, cargo-handling capacity, and competitiveness.
The new STS cranes will replace an old fleet, which has reached its end–of–lifecycle.
The Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 is the largest and busiest container facility in Southern Africa – responsible for 60% of the country’s container volumes. Pier 2 is currently the only facility in Africa with tandem lift cranes that have a carrying capacity of 80 tons at a time.
“These cranes will enable us to turn vessels faster, to operate at higher winds and match the world-class efficiency that global trade demand. This investment is a symbol of our commitment to ensure that cargo moves through our port terminals with the required speed and reliability.
“Faster processing of cargo at our terminals directly supports South Africa’s export-led growth strategy, boosting global trade competitiveness and economic prosperity. The investment is set up to increase the terminal’s volume throughput and significantly boost productivity and efficiency levels,” Phillips said on Thursday in Durban.
Two of the cranes are being commissioned, with endurance testing and operational handover scheduled to start in the last week of October 2025.
The remaining two cranes are being assembled and are planned to undergo commissioning and operational handover by the end of November 2025.
The new fleet is part of Transnet Port Terminal’s (TPT’s) capital expenditure to strengthen the cargo-handling fleet across its container terminals.
In March 2025, TPT unveiled 20 straddle carriers and nine rubber-tyred gantries (RTGs) for DCT Pier 2 and Pier 1, respectively.
This investment is already yielding tangible results, which is affirmed by the recently concluded citrus season, where DCT Pier 2 recorded an impressive year-on-year increase of 28.8%.
TPT has set aside R4 billion on acquiring equipment across its business this financial year (2025/26).
Original equipment manufacturer, Liebherr Africa has equipped the cranes with the latest technology and minimised environmental impact demonstrated by its reduced energy consumption.
Positioned at the terminal’s edge, the cranes boast advanced cargo-handling features, including increased lifting capacity, to efficiently load and unload containers on calling vessels.