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Following an investment of around US$41 million, the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) has recently taken delivery of four new quayside gantry cranes, and 13 rubber tyred stacking cranes (RTGs) which are scheduled to be fully operational by the end of January 2025. This investment raises the Sri Lankan port’s throughput capacity to over 1 million TEU a year.
The four quay cranes, which arrived on the heavy lift vessel De Qiang 66 on 30th November, feature a twinlift 65m outreach, with load ratings of 50 tons for single handling, 65 tons for tandem lifting, and 75 tons on the underhook beam. The RTGs, which arrived on the same date on the vessel Feng Hai Da, have a span of 23.47m a handling capacity of 41 tons and a lifting height of one-container-over-five. The cranes feature automation systems and anti-collision technology and represent a significant addition to the two quay cranes and three RTGs that are currently operational at HIP.
“Our investment in these new cranes will considerably enhance HIP’s container handling capabilities, positioning us as a fully-fledged multipurpose port for Sri Lanka,” said Wilson Qu, CEO of HIPG. “This capacity building is crucial for our transshipment operations and will attract potential investors looking to establish manufacturing plants in our industrial zone.” He added that the establishment of feeder services between Hambantota and Colombo is expected soon and will improve Sri Lanka’s coastal shipping network.
