LSCT Invests €90M in Cranes for ULCV Capacity | Mariner News
La Spezia Container Terminal (LSCT) has signed contracts worth 90 million euros for the supply of four ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and eighteen yard cranes. This significant investment is a core component of LSCT’s ongoing 350-million-euro modernization program, designed to elevate the terminal’s operational capabilities and infrastructure.
The crane supply agreement, awarded to a leading Chinese manufacturer following a comprehensive selection process, targets delivery within the next 24-28 months. These new assets are crucial for the development of the new Ravano Terminal and the wider upgrade plan, which aims to enhance LSCT’s overall operational capacity.
A key development is the ability of the new STS cranes to handle container ships up to 24,000 TEU. Crucially, the planned configuration will allow for the simultaneous handling of three ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs), significantly boosting quay productivity and expanding service capacity on major international routes. This positions La Spezia as a formidable contender for top-tier ULCV calls in the Mediterranean, intensifying competition among regional hubs.
Beyond sheer capacity, the new cranes will integrate advanced technological systems. The STS cranes will feature automatic container identification via Optical Character Recognition (OCR), digital tracking of truck positions during loading and unloading, and vessel profile scanning. The new yard cranes, comprising both RTGs and RMGs, will incorporate a cabinless design for remote operation. This focus on automation underscores a strategic drive for enhanced operational precision, efficiency, and potentially faster vessel turnarounds, which is vital for maintaining tight schedules in today’s high-volume container shipping environment.
