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Posted by Dale Crisp
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1 September, 2025
HUTCHISON Ports Australia has placed an order for two post-Panamax STS cranes for its Port Botany terminal that will enable the handling of 15,000 TEU ships.
The custom ZPMC gooseneck-type units will be able to service vessels 22 container bays wide and with 10-high deck stacks. They will be 25 metres taller than the terminal’s existing four low-profile, sliding boom gantries, which reach only 17-wide. Delivery is expected in Q3 2026.
The adjacent Patrick terminal has four gooseneck-type units but their reach is 20-wide. Melbourne’s VICT has two 22-wide STSs and is expected to add a third, possibly next year. At Port Adelaide Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal has two 22-wide units on order at ZPMC, due for delivery in Q1 2027.
HPA CEO John Willy said the new cranes would make the Port Botany facility far more competitive and allow the company to pursue additional business opportunities. Combined with the recently-agreed four-year enterprise agreement with unions, the company will be well-positioned, Mr Willy said. At this stage there are no plans to acquire post-Panamax units for HPA’s Brisbane terminal, which is also equipped with four 17-wide cranes.
There are no clear indications about the future ownership of HPA, he said, given the ongoing complications involving the proposed sale of the majority of Hutchison Ports terminals worldwide to a consortium that initially comprised MSC and US investor Black Rock but which has become engulfed in geopolitical complications.
“I doubt anything will be resolved this side of Christmas,” Mr Willy said.
Neither Patrick nor DP World Australia have announced any new STS orders but will undoubtedly be forced to upgrade as larger boxboats cascade into Australian trades.
Fremantle – which has the nation’s smallest STSs – may not be re-equipped ahead of the move of terminals from the Inner Harbour to the new Westport, and constraints on the upriver terminals in Melbourne mean they are unlikely to handle larger ships than at present.
At Port Botany DPWA may await the completion of NSW Ports’ berth extension but Brisbane would seem to be a candidate for re-equipping; Patrick has two 20-wide units at its facility.
