HHLA prepares Estonian key maritime terminal for handling Post-Panamax ships
HHLA TK Estonia, the Estonian main maritime terminal operated by the German logistic group HHLA, has received two container gantry cranes. Being mighty and efficient equipment in transhipping boxes, they will significantly increase the capacity of the facility, which will be able to handle Post-Panamax ships.
After acquiring the multifunctional terminal in the Muuga Harbour in 2018, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has completed the largest investment in the development of its Estonian subsidiary. Two STS (ship-to-shore) gantry cranes, which previously worked at Container Terminal Burchardkai in the Port of Hamburg, were put into operation on 31 May in the Estonian port. They have already handled the first container ship. It was Venta Maersk, a vessel of the Danish shipping line with a carrying capacity of 3,600 TEU.
Fourfold capacity
The STS cranes were nicknamed Alfa and Bravo. Being located at the Berth 17 of the Muuga terminal, they can handle the Post-Panamax container ships with a capacity of 14,000 TEU. It is four times more compared to the previous capability when the terminal processed mainly feeder vessels with a maximum capacity of 3,500 TEU. With a carrying capacity of 70 tonnes, a height of 73 metres and a lifting height of 50 metres, they are some of the largest container gantry cranes in the Baltic region. “In the future, calls in Muuga will be more attractive and efficient for global shipping companies. Thanks to the growth in handling capacity, Estonia’s opportunities as a multimodal logistics hub in Northern Europe will increase considerably,” said Angela Titzrath, CEO of HHLA Group.