HHLA builds up influence in the Baltic with new gantry cranes

The Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) terminal in the Port of Muuga has received two larger container gantry cranes enabling container ships with a cargo volume of 14,000 TEU to be handled in Estonia for the first time.

At present, the Port of Muuga mostly handles feeder ships with a maximum capacity of 3,500 TEU. Larger vessels with a volume of up to 14,000 TEU will also be handled after the acquisition.

The three already existing container gantry cranes have been supplemented with two larger ones that can handle ships with up to 21 container rows.

With a carrying capacity of 70 tonnes, a height of 73 metres and a lifting height of 50 metres, they are some of the largest container gantry cranes in the Baltic region according to HHLA.

The cranes had been previously used at Hamburg’s Container Terminal Burchardkai.

“The new, larger gantry cranes will help HHLA TK to utilise its full potential for the handling of existing and future freight streams,” said Angela Titzrath, CEO of HHLA.

“We have invested over five million euros to be able to service vessels accommodating four times more containers than the ships able to dock in Muuga at the moment.

“In the future, calls in Muuga will be more attractive and efficient for global shipping companies. Thanks to the growth in handling capacity, Estonia’s opportunities as a multimodal logistics hub in Northern Europe will increase considerably.”

HHLA recorded a strong performance in the first three months of the year, and noted that the financial outlook for 2022 remains stable.

Discover more about ports in the Baltic region in PTI’s list of the ‘Top 10 Baltic Ports in 2022 so far’.