BCT terminal in Gdynia already with giant STS cranes

Yesterday two new STS waterfront cranes reached the Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) in Gdynia Port. The equipment arrived on board a specialised transport vessel Zhen Hua 32 and in the coming weeks, they will be launched at the Hel Coast.

The new cranes are intended to increase the terminal's handling capacity and prepare it to operate larger container ships wrapping in the Baltic. Full activation of the equipment is planned in June.

Two new cranes for the BCT terminal

STS (Ship-to-Shore) cranes were delivered to the BCT as part of an investment programme implemented by terminal in cooperation with the Board of the Maritime Port of Gdynia.

The equipment was manufactured by Chinese company Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (ZPMC), specializing in port equipment production. The cranes will work in semi-automatic mode. Their load capacity is up to 75 tons and the maximum lifting height reaches 55 m.

The terminal waited almost two years for new devices. The purchase of two STS cranes was announced in August 2024. From the publication of the tender to the entry of the ship Zhen Hua 32 to the Port of Gdynia, it has been less than 22 months.

The cranes will be able to operate the largest container ships wrapping on the Baltic, about 60 m wide, with a cargo set in 25 rows of containers.

Important stage of development of the Port of Gdynia

As the Board of the Maritime Port of Gdynia emphasizes, the delivery of new equipment is one of the elements of a wide-ranging modernization program port infrastructure.

In recent years, among other things, investments related to the deepening of the approach track and wharf and the development of terminals and logistics facilities have been implemented. Delivery of new cranes is the next stage of this process.

According to port representatives, the investment is intended to increase Gdynia's competitiveness and enable the operation of more advanced logistics operations.

BCT increases handling capacity

New equipment is intended to improve the efficiency of handling processes, reduce cargo handling times and increase predictability of terminal operations.

For BCT it is one of the most important investments of recent years. Terminal It prepares to operate larger container units and the growing requirements of the maritime transport market in the Baltic.

Before putting into service cranes will undergo installation, testing and technical receptions.

Zhen Hua 32 again in Poland

Transport vessel Zhen Hua 32 left Chinese port in March. Five STS cranes were on board. Three of them were intended for a container terminal in Tem, Ghana, while two went to Gdynia.

The unit entered the port on June 1 in the early morning hours in the tugboats' ace Fairplay-74, Fairplay-71 and Fairplay-97.

This was not the first visit of this ship to Poland. Last year Zhen Hua 32 delivered to the terminal Baltic Hub In Gdańsk, three STS cranes designed for the new T3 wharf in Baltic Hub. This was the second part of the supply of equipment produced by ZPMC.