DP World has confirmed that four new STS cranes ordered for its Southampton terminal will match or exceed the largest quay cranes in Europe. The new units, manufactured by ZPMC, will be delivered fully assembled in two batches during 2026.
The £63m investment was first reported by WorldCargo News in February. DP World has now provided further detail, saying the cranes will have a height under the spreader of 58m and a reach of 26 container rows – more than any vessel currently afloat. They will be capable of tandem quad operation, lifting two 40ft containers at once, to cut turnaround times for ultra-large container vessels.
Future-proofing Southampton
According to DP World, the new cranes are “bigger than needed right now,” but will futureproof the port to handle the next generation of container vessels, wider even than the current 24-row designs. The cranes are destined for the SCT5 berth, and three existing cranes from that berth – commissioned in 2014 – will be redeployed elsewhere at Southampton.
Further to WorldCargo News reporting in February, the first pair of new cranes is expected to arrive in June or July 2026, with the remaining two following in the third quarter. Delivery dates are still being finalised, but DP World is already anticipating a strong turnout of spectators for the rare sight of fully assembled cranes arriving by sea.
Capability over capacity
DP World stressed that the project is not about increasing capacity, but about enhancing capability. “The new cranes will be the largest quay cranes in Europe and can perform quad lifts, moving two 40ft containers together from ship to yard in a single move, reducing the time taken to load and unload large container vessels,” the company said in its initial statement.
With a reach of 26 rows, the new machines exceed the beam of today’s biggest ships. This margin is deliberate, with DP World investing ahead of demand to ensure Southampton remains able to accommodate whatever vessel sizes the industry produces next.
Strategic role
Southampton is one of two deep-water UK terminals operated by DP World, alongside London Gateway. Covering nearly 100 hectares, the terminal is equipped with 14 STS cranes along a 1.92km deep-water quay with 16m alongside. It can handle vessels up to 430m in length and has a capacity of 2.4m TEU. In 2024, the terminal handled 1.9m TEU.
The forthcoming crane delivery marks another significant step in DP World’s strategy of long-term investment in its UK operations. Once installed, Southampton will have some of the most capable ship-handling equipment anywhere in Europe, positioning the terminal to serve the largest vessels for years to come. DP World has intimated that the cranes will be manned from the gantry but are ready for remote operation.