HHLA TK Estonia, situated in the Port of Muuga, has enhanced its handling capacity through two new, larger container gantry cranes that will enable the terminal to handle larger containerships.
The cranes, previously in operation at Hamburg’s Container Terminal Burchardkai, will allow Estonia to handle containerships with a cargo volume of 14,000 teu for the first time.
Angela Titzrath, CEO of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), said: “The new, larger gantry cranes will help HHLA TK to utilise its full potential for the handling of existing and future freight streams.
“We have invested over €5m (US$5.4m) to be able to service vessels accommodating four times more containers than the ships able to dock in Muuga at the moment. In the future, calls in Muuga will be more attractive and efficient for global shupping companies.”
Titzrath noted that with the growth of handling capacity, Estonia’s opportunities as a multimodal logistics hub in Northern Europe will increase considerably.
At present, mostly feeder ships with a maximum of 3,500 teu capacity berth in Muuga.
The two larger cranes can handle ships with up to 21 container rows, supplementing the three existing special container gantry cranes.
With a carrying capacity of 70 tonnes, a height of 73 m and a lifting height of 50 m, the new cranes are some of the largest container gantry cranes in the Baltic region.
Riia Sillave, CEO of HHLA TK Estonia, said: “The customers will be served by cranes named Alfa and Bravo, thus also symbolically highlighting the beginning of a journey of containers either entering into Estonia or moving onwards from here into the world.”
HHLA acquired the Estonian multi-function terminal in Muuga in 2018 and has since integrated it into its network.
The Port of Muuga is the main cargo port in Estonia and is situated in a central location in the crossroads of logistics channels.
HHLA TK Estonia handles containers, break bulk, bulk and roll-on roll-off freight.
