APM Terminals Barcelona upgrades with five new STS Triple-E cranes

First three cranes will arrive by the end of March, and the remaining two by mid-2026

APM Terminals has signed a contract with ZPMC to build and supply two Triple-E Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes for its Barcelona facilities. The equipment will arrive at the terminal in mid-2026, in addition to three others from the same manufacturer that are already sailing to the port. The five new STS are included in an investment plan that will strengthen the role of APM Terminals Barcelona in the Mediterranean and provide a better service to the largest container ships.

‘The new cranes we have acquired for APM Terminals Barcelona are a further demonstration of our long-term commitment to the Port of Barcelona. This is a major investment to modernise our machinery, which will mean we will have the largest and most capable STS in the industry. Together with the works we have already started on the quay, it will reinforce our role in the global logistics chain and allow us to offer the greatest efficiency to our customers,' says Julián Fernández, managing director of APM Terminals Spanish Gateways.

APM Terminals Barcelona's new Triple-E cranes have 56 metres under spreader and 66 metres of boom outreach, which means they will be able to operate 24-row vessels. When the five new quay cranes are commissioned, with the 12 STSs committed to in the concession contract, the terminal will be able to operate two ultra large container ships simultaneously.

For the unloading of the first three STS, planned for the end of March, the company is already carrying out works to reinforce the quay, norays, channelling and protection for the berthing of large vessels. The acquisition of the 5 new STS cranes joins other initiatives already underway at APM Terminals Barcelona, focused on leading the decarbonisation of the port industry and continuing to improve port services, such as the hybrid yard cranes, the pilot project for electric straddle carriers, or the preparation for the installation of the Offshore Power Supply (OPS) system, which will prevent emissions from vessels berthed at its facilities.