APM Terminals Elizabeth Enhances Operations with Commissioning of Two ZPMC Super-Post Panamax Container Cranes
APM Terminals Elizabeth has announced the operational deployment of two state-of-the-art ZPMC Super-Post Panamax ship-to-shore (STS) cranes. With an impressive 23-container outreach, these cranes are designed to efficiently handle ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) and Neo-Panamax Vessels. Capable of accommodating ships carrying up to 18,000 TEUs, these cranes have completed testing and are ready to optimize operations for the largest vessels calling US East Coast ports.
The introduction of these cranes marks the initial phase of a significant $70 million investment in modernization at the New Jersey container terminal. As part of this initiative, a total of six cranes will be added, with the terminal set to feature 10 identical Super-Post Panamax cranes by the first quarter of 2025. This strategic expansion aims to standardize operations for greater efficiency.
APM Terminals Elizabeth currently operates 14 cranes, including four similar Super Post-Panamax cranes, along its extensive approximately 1,828 meters quay. These developments follow a substantial $200 million terminal improvement project, which included reinforcing the berth area, implementing a modernized gate facility and trucker appointment system, and acquiring additional cranes. The latter has significantly increased the terminal’s vessel lift capacity from 900,000 to over 1.5 million lifts annually.
Henrik Kristensen, Managing Director of APM Terminals Elizabeth, emphasized the positive impact of the new cranes on productivity, enabling the terminal to handle multiple large ships simultaneously. The enhanced capacity aligns with industry trends, supporting operational efficiency and sustainability in ocean shipping.
This investment builds upon the port’s reputation for efficiency and reliability, solidifying its position as the East Coast’s busiest port and one of the top three busiest ports in the nation, according to Bethann Rooney, Port Department Director at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
