APM Terminals has begun the transfer to Rotterdam of the second batch of four new ship-to-shore (STS) cranes manufactured by ZPMC for the expansion of its Maasvlakte II terminal. The units left the facilities operated by the Chinese manufacturer in Changxing Island on August 1 and will undergo new phases of integration, testing, and commissioning once they arrive at the terminal.
The shipment is part of the equipment renewal and expansion program associated with the growth of Maasvlakte II. APM Terminals awarded ZPMC the contract for the supply of twelve new STS cranes for the Dutch installation. The project planning includes nine cranes for operations with large container ships at the deep-water dock and three cranes for handling barges and feeder vessels.
The first shipment left Changxing Island on January 15, 2026, and arrived in Rotterdam on March 22 aboard the heavy transport vessel Zhen Hua 27. It consisted of three Super Quay Cranes (SQC) and one smaller crane intended for feeder and barge traffic. The three SQC cranes have a reach of 72 meters, a lifting height of 57 meters, and capacities of 65 tons in twin-lift and 105 tons in tandem-lift. The fourth unit has a reach of 42 meters and a lifting height of 33 meters. All four cranes include a second trolley prepared for automated operations.
With the second shipment, there are already eight cranes from the order that have left ZPMC's facilities. Before embarking this new batch, the technical teams from CES worked alongside APM Terminals Maasvlakte II, ZPMC, and ABB on various verifications related to their future automation. The actions included adjustments in the installation and alignment of cameras, modifications to the design of the trolley, and checks of the automation interfaces, cable laying, mechanical assemblies, and system operation.
The final work in the factory and the pre-shipping operations coincided with weather conditions associated with the passage of typhoons in the area. According to CES, the involved teams modified the work schedule to maintain the shipping timetable. Upon arrival in Rotterdam, the cranes will need to undergo reactivation processes, integration with terminal systems, testing, and commissioning before being incorporated into operations.
The incorporation of the new equipment is taking place in parallel with the physical expansion of Maasvlakte II. The project adds 1,000 meters of deep-water dock, raising the total length of this infrastructure to 2,000 meters, along with new storage areas, four additional railway tracks, and more automated equipment. APM Terminals estimates the planned capacity of the facility in its new configuration at 5.4 million TEUs annually.
The terminal, operational since 2015, is also integrated into the network used by the Gemini cooperation of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd. In August, Hapag-Lloyd announced an agreement to acquire a 25% stake in APM Terminals Maasvlakte II, while APM Terminals will maintain operational control of the facility.