VIDEO: London Gateway revamp
London Gateway has accepted delivery of two quay cranes for deployment in its new fourth berth, which should open this summer.
Weighing more than 2,000 tons, the cranes will be able to handle the biggest vessels in operation around the world today with scope to work on even larger ones.
As well as being the largest in Europe, the cranes are the most advanced, with automated technology and the ability to carry out tandem lifts – ie unload or load two 40ft containers in a single lift.
The have also been given a life expectancy of 25 years.
The quay cranes were built in China and took two months to get to the DP World port.
“While they naturally choose us for our growing capabilities, it’s also the quality of our service that makes our customers stay,” said Ahsan Agha, vice president Port Operations at DP World London Gateway. “Thanks to the capacity soon to be provided by the quay cranes and the new fourth berth, that service at London Gateway is future-proofed for years to come.”
The quay cranes follow the delivery of four automated stacking cranes for £56 million (€65.3 million) in November and eight electric straddle carriers for £12 million (€14 million) in June.
Another two quay cranes are expected later this year.
DP World says it is spending £350 million on the port, which DP World sees as its flagship UK port.
Berth four is not the end of the expansion – another two are also in the pipeline.
