CSP Iberian Bilbao Terminal has taken delivery of a new Super Post-Panamax (STS) quay crane, marking a capacity upgrade at the Port of Bilbao and strengthening container handling performance at the Atlantic-facing hub.
The crane is set to enter operation in June and is positioned as the largest of its type in the Atlantic Arc. It has been designed to support higher productivity, improved safety and reduced environmental impact through upgraded control systems and energy-efficient technologies.
Key technical specifications include a lifting capacity of up to 83 tonnes under wire rope, a 65-tonne twin-lift capability, a 20-container outreach, and a lifting height of 56 metres.
The unit weighs approximately 1,300 tonnes and is fitted with anti-collision systems on both gantry and jib structures, alongside camera-based assistance for cargo handling operations.
The crane was manufactured by ZPMC and represents a €10 million ($11 million) investment by CSP Iberian Bilbao Terminal.
The delivery forms part of a broader modernisation programme aligned with the operator’s long-term development roadmap initiated in 2016, which is tied to the extension of its concession at the port through to 2049.
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The investment follows earlier upgrades in 2023, when the terminal deployed six hybrid rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes worth €12.6 million ($14.7 million), aimed at improving yard efficiency and operational flexibility.
According to CSP Iberian Bilbao Terminal, the latest addition reinforces its commitment to enhancing terminal capability and supporting higher throughput across container operations.
The new STS crane is expected to complement existing infrastructure and improve vessel turnaround times at berth.
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From an operational perspective, the equipment upgrade strengthens Bilbao’s role as an intermodal node linking southern Europe with northern European ports.
The terminal continues to position itself as a strategic logistics gateway within the Atlantic Arc, with emphasis on efficiency, connectivity and sustainability.
The introduction of higher-specification lifting equipment also reflects wider trends across European terminals, where operators are increasingly investing in larger, more energy-efficient quay cranes to accommodate growing vessel sizes and improve cargo handling performance.
In March, Progeco opened a new cold storage warehouse for frozen goods in the ZAD-3 area of the Port of Bilbao.
For more information:
Port of Bilbao – https://www.bilbaoport.eus/en/
