Once installation and testing are completed this autumn, the cranes will enter service, significantly enhancing the port’s ability to handle some of the world’s largest container vessels efficiently. Each crane stands over 300 feet tall and weighs more than 1,600 tonnes. They can reach across 22 containers in width and lift containers to a height of 178.8 feet above the dock, supporting high-capacity container operations.
Equipped with advanced handling technology, the new cranes are designed to improve both safety and operational efficiency. The upgrade represents one of the most significant equipment enhancements in Port Freeport’s history, reflecting a long-term commitment to modernizing port infrastructure.
Rob Giesecke, Chairman of the Port Freeport Commission, said: “These cranes are a major investment in the future of Port Freeport and our community. They will act as a catalyst for future growth, helping us attract new business, create more jobs, and increase operating revenues to keep Port Freeport at zero-tax.”
Phyllis Saathoff, Executive Director and CEO of Port Freeport, added: “The addition of the new Super Post-Panamax cranes at the expanded container terminal berths, combined with the substantial completion of the Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project by year’s end, is a defining moment for the Port and a great way to start the port’s next century. As we commemorate our Centennial, this achievement underscores our unwavering commitment to developing world-class infrastructure that will benefit our region for many years to come.”
The new cranes complement other recent upgrades at Port Freeport. Last month, the port inaugurated Gate 12, a major infrastructure project designed to improve access and operational efficiency at the Velasco Container Terminal. The combination of enhanced equipment and improved terminal access is expected to strengthen the port’s competitiveness and capacity for international trade.
Port Freeport’s investment in high-capacity, technologically advanced cranes aligns with its long-term strategy to expand container handling capabilities and attract new shipping traffic. The upgrades are projected to support regional economic growth by generating employment opportunities and boosting operational revenues.
By integrating these Super Post-Panamax cranes with ongoing channel improvements, Port Freeport is positioning itself to handle larger vessels, increase throughput, and maintain its role as a key logistics hub. The developments highlight the port’s continued focus on modernizing infrastructure to meet evolving global shipping demands while supporting sustainable regional economic development.
