Pilbara Ports in Western Australia has placed an order for two ESP.9 Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes to enhance operations at the Port of Port Hedland, the world’s largest bulk export port by tonnage.
The order, finalized in the fourth quarter of 2024, will see the cranes delivered to the Lumsden Point development in 2026.
During the 2023-24 financial year, the Port of Port Hedland handled over 570 million tonnes of throughput. As trade volumes in the Pilbara region continue to grow, the Lumsden Point development is a vital initiative to expand the port’s capacity.
With a lifting capacity of 200 tonnes each, the ESP.9 cranes will significantly enhance the port’s ability to manage containerized bulk materials and project cargo, reducing congestion and broadening trade capabilities. Equipped with 100-meter cable reels for external power supply, the cranes will boost energy efficiency and cut on-site exhaust emissions and noise levels.
“Mobile harbour cranes are a critical component of the Lumsden Point development, facilitating the export of battery metals, the import of renewable energy infrastructure and supporting the growth of direct shipping services to the Pilbara,” stated John Freimanis, Project Director of Lumsden Point, Pilbara Ports.
“Following a competitive process, we were impressed by Konecranes’ customer focus and reliable performance. Pilbara Ports is excited to partner with Konecranes to tailor this high-performance infrastructure to the unique needs of Port Hedland.”
Safety and precision are further enhanced by the cranes’ Tandem-lift Assistant, which enables synchronized operation of both cranes for heavy or oversized loads. Additionally, operational reliability is supported by advanced features such as a condition-based maintenance system, Konecranes TRUCONNECT remote monitoring, and a quick-access spare parts package.
Holger Wagner, Regional Sales Manager at Konecranes, commented: “Once again, we see our material handling equipment being entrusted to support a vital link in the global economy. Being selected to support the world’s largest bulk export port authority is a great honour for Konecranes. We look forward to helping Pilbara Ports meet its productivity and sustainability goals.”
This project aligns with Konecranes’ Ecolifting™ initiative, which aims to increase the positive environmental impact of its products and services while helping customers reduce their carbon footprints. Through innovations such as eco-optimized diesel drives, hybrid systems, and fully electrified fleets, Konecranes continues to deliver sustainable solutions that achieve more with less.
