Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal (FACT) has ordered two post-panamax Liebherr cranes for delivery late-2014.
Each of the units can lift around 35 boxes per hour.
The cranes will be deployed during the first quarter of 2015 once they are fully commissioned, as part of a 30-year strategic plan to boost service levels at the Port Adelaide terminal.
General Manager - Peter Cheers said the two cranes on order were the best match for the terminal’s requirements and that the investment is part of a suite of scheduled upgrades.
“We conducted rigorous supplier evaluations as part of our procurement process and assessed this in-line with our long-run planning for the terminal,” Mr Cheers said.
“Our aim is to put Port Adelaide on the map as a world class container facility servicing the hinterland.
“Increased efficiency, through reduced vessel time in port, will enable us to achieve our projected annual throughput target of over 700,000 teu.”
The new cranes will join five newly-requisitioned Noell straddle carriers, which are set to arrive at Port Adelaide in April.
An additional 7500 squ meters of hard-stand at the terminal is expected to come on-stream this month in readiness for the arrival of the new cranes and straddles.
Each post-panamax Liebherr crane features a maximum lifting capacity of 80 tonnes using a special cargo beam, and the ability to lift multiple containers simultaneously.
Once the units have been commissioned, FACT expects its vessel turn-around times will be up to 25% faster than those currently at the facility.