Port of Salalah in Osman has received the first four of 10 new ZPMC ship-to-shore (STS) cranes as part of its $300 million container terminal modernisation and extension project.
Once the project is finished in the first quarter of 2025, the terminal’s annual capacity will rise from 5 million to 6 million TEU. With this additional capacity, the Port of Salalah will become a vital centre for the area.
According to APM Terminals (APMT), the new fully electric cranes are among the largest equipment of their kind in the world and set new standards in terms of size and efficiency.
With an approximate outreach of 75 metres, which is longer than an Airbus A380 plane, they can handle vessels 26 containers deep.
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Additionally, these cranes reportedly have a lifting height of 58 metres above the rail and 77 metres total hoist height (including below rail) and a rated capacity under spreader of 65 tonnes mean they are capable of serving the largest Ultra Large Container Vessels currently in operation.
A further six cranes are due for arrival in the second quarter of this year. Replacing four lower specification cranes, the total of 10 new cranes will increase the number of STS cranes at the terminal to 27.
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The upgrade is reportedly being implemented by APMT Project Execution together with APMT Asset Engineering and APM Terminals Crane & Engineering Services.
It includes upgrades to all six existing berths and expansion of the yard. In addition to the new STS cranes, planned new equipment include 12 electric Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTGs) cranes, two reachstackers, three electric empty container handlers and 30 trucks and trailers.
In October 2023, the Port of Salalah celebrated its 25th anniversary with a remarkable track record of growth and productivity.
