Transnet invests R967M in four new ship-to-shore cranes at Durban Container Terminal

The national freight-logistics operator Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has officially announced the acquisition of four new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, valued at R967 million, for deployment at its Durban Container Terminal – Pier 2 (DCT Pier 2), the largest and busiest container terminal in Southern Africa. (TimesLIVE)

Strategic context

DCT Pier 2 handles roughly 60 % of South Africa's container volumes, and is a critical gateway for imports, exports and regional trans-shipment. (railwaysafrica.com) In recent years Transnet has come under pressure to modernise its operations amid equipment ageing, delays, congestion and international service-competitiveness concerns. The new cranes form part of a broader fleet renewal programme and capital investment push. (Cape Argus)

Key features of the new cranes

According to the announcement:

• The new STS cranes will replace an end-of-life fleet at Pier 2. (railwaysafrica.com)

• They are built by Liebherr Africa and include the latest technologies: improved lifting capacity, greater operational envelope (e.g., higher wind-tolerance) and enhanced energy efficiency. (TimesLIVE)

• Two of the cranes are scheduled for commissioning in the last week of October 2025, while the remaining two are being assembled for hand-over by end of November 2025. (railwaysafrica.com)

• The equipment aligns with Transnet's 2025/26 capital expenditure plan, under which TPT has earmarked R4 billion for new equipment acquisitions. (TimesLIVE)

Operational and economic implications

Transnet Group CEO Michelle Phillips emphasised that the investment is aimed at "turning vessels faster, operating in higher winds and matching world-class efficiency that global trade demands." (railwaysafrica.com) With these enhancements:

• The terminal's handling capacity, throughput speed and reliability are expected to improve, directly supporting South Africa's export-led growth strategy. (railwaysafrica.com)

• The new cranes should reduce congestion, vessel-lay-time, idle ship waiting and landside delays — all of which have historically increased costs for importers, exporters and downstream manufacturing. (DredgeWire)

• The modernised equipment offers improved uptime and maintainability through condition-monitoring systems and standardised drive-systems shared with other new equipment at the terminal. (TimesLIVE)

During the recently concluded citrus export season, DCT Pier 2 recorded a year-on-year increase of 28.8% in throughput—a tangible early sign of operational improvement. (railwaysafrica.com)

Wider upgrade programme

The four STS cranes are part of a broader upgrade at DCT and across Transnet's container terminals. Earlier in 2025, TPT unveiled:

• 20 straddle carriers and nine rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes for DCT Pier 2 and Pier 1. (Cape Argus)

• Over 100 pieces of new cargo-handling equipment scheduled for 2025, forming part of a R3.4 billion investment in Durban operations. (Shipping and Freight Resource)

• A 10-year strategic partnership with Liebherr, including a 20-year asset-management programme covering maintenance, spares and lifecycle support (announced in September 2025). (Reuters)

Challenges and expectations

While the investment is significant, the company faces several execution and operational challenges:

• Ensuring the new equipment is integrated smoothly into existing operations without major disruptions during the handover period.

• Training of operators, engineers and maintenance staff given the advanced technology and new systems. For example, standardising drive-systems across cranes and RTGs was highlighted as a key facilitator. (TimesLIVE)

• Landside infrastructure, truck access, rail connections and container-stacking yards also require synchronised upgrading to fully leverage the crane improvements.

• Delivering measurable performance improvement (e.g., reduced vessel-turnaround time, fewer port congestions, improved service to customers) will be critical to justify the investment and restore stakeholder confidence.

Strategic significance for national economy

Given South Africa's role in regional logistics and trade, improvements to DCT Pier 2 carry far-reaching implications:

• As the gateway for 60% of container volumes, performance at Pier 2 has direct consequences for manufacturers, exporters (especially agricultural goods), importers and logistics chains. (railwaysafrica.com)

• Faster vessel turnaround and improved reliability bolster South Africa's competitiveness in a global market, potentially lowering costs for businesses and consumers.

• Better port performance also supports broader government goals around economic growth, trade expansion, job creation, and reducing bottlenecks in supply‐chains.

• The emphasis on energy-efficient, technologically advanced equipment also aligns with sustainability and future-proofing of infrastructure.

Final word

The arrival of the four new ship-to-shore cranes at Durban's Pier 2 marks a significant milestone in Transnet's efforts to revitalise one of the country's most critical logistics assets. While the equipment alone won't solve all of the terminal's challenges, it represents a major investment in capability, efficiency and service reliability. The real test now lies in how effectively Transnet integrates these cranes into operations, how quickly performance improvements are delivered and sustained, and how much benefit terminal users ultimately realise in reduced cost, improved turnaround and higher service levels.