Port of Oakland welcomes new cranes

The cranes, manufactured by Liebherr in Ireland, are designed to move containers between vessels and the dock more quickly and with greater energy efficiency. Port officials say the investment will improve terminal operations while supporting ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impacts.

“These new cranes represent an important investment in the future of the terminal,” said Cameron Thorpe, chief executive of TraPac. “They improve efficiency today while helping move the port toward a greener future.”

Delivered in sections, the cranes are currently being unloaded at the terminal and will be assembled on site. Once construction and testing are complete, the cranes are expected to enter service by May 2026.

When operational, each crane will rise more than 440 feet tall – roughly the height of a 40- to 45-storey building. The added height and reach will allow TraPac to more efficiently handle the world’s largest container ships, improving container flow and reducing time vessels spend at berth.

Port officials say the project fits into a wider modernisation effort aimed at ensuring reliable cargo operations while meeting long-term sustainability targets.

“We are very excited, and this is part of the port’s broader modernisation efforts,” said Bryan Brandes, maritime director at the Port of Oakland. “We’re focused on making improvements that support reliable operations and long-term environmental goals.”

The two cranes are the first of four planned for the TraPac terminal. Two additional ship-to-shore cranes are scheduled to arrive later this year, further expanding the terminal’s handling capacity.