Konecranes helps streamline EUROGATE’s STS operations with crane relocations in Hamburg

 EUROGATE is a major terminal operator across Europe and North Africa, handling 12 million TEU in 2024. At their operation in Hamburg, the third largest seaport in Europe, they rely on a line of eleven STS cranes to handle 2 million TEU annually. One crane was an older model ready for retirement. However, a proper dismantling process takes time and can easily interfere with other crane operations. So EUROGATE decided to relocate the older crane to the end of the line, where it could be taken apart without affecting the other cranes. The last crane was then moved to replace the older crane.

Konecranes Noell Straddle Carriers have been in use at the EUROGATE Hamburg facility for years. This positive experience combined with outstanding local service from Kocks Kranbau, now part of Konecranes, gave EUROGATE the confidence to choose Konecranes for the expert engineering they needed to supervise the relocation of their cranes. After the moving process was complete, they were able to dismantle their older crane easily and avoid further downtime to their container handling operations.

Relocating a crane requires expert knowledge

There are many reasons why a terminal operator might want to relocate their cranes. A change in port structure may require a different quay layout. Container traffic variations could create demand for an extra crane at a different berth in another part of the terminal. Or a crane has reached the end of its service life and needs to be taken away for dismantling. In each case, meticulous planning and specialized expert knowledge on the safe movement of cranes ensure a smooth and safe relocation.

“The STS cranes we needed to move weigh approximately 1,850 tons each, making the task a significant challenge,” says Alexander Müller, Technical Project Manager at EUROGATE Technical Services. “Konecranes provided us with a clear and effective technical solution. While the execution was not easy. It was completed successfully thanks to excellent cooperation and adherence to the estimated schedule. They will certainly be at the top of our list of providers for any future crane relocations.”

In the line of eleven STS cranes, the first crane on the east end of Berth 1-3 (out of 11) was relocated to the west end. The crane designated for dismantling (the fifth crane out of 11) was relocated to the location of the first crane. Each crane was moved using a self-propelled modular trailer (SPMT) to transport it about 150m along the quay. Relocation took two hours per crane, including the time required to move the remaining cranes past the relocated crane so that the relocated crane could be placed on its new position on the rails, for a total of four hours’ moving time. Konecranes crane engineers planned and supervised the project to ensure that the crane structures were secure throughout the operation. They also tested the crane that was still in service to check that it was unaffected by the physical stressors of relocation and remained fully operational. For safety reasons, specific sections of the quay were closed but operational disruptions were kept to a minimum during the moving process.

Services invest in the future

“In working with us to relocate their cranes, EUROGATE has made an investment in their future operations and long-term productivity,” says Marcel Purmann, Project Manager, Konecranes Port Services. “But crane relocation is just one of the many specialist services we offer to enhance the reliability and performance of port equipment fleets worldwide. We have the expertise, local service network and technical support from trusted suppliers to get the job done right, every time.”