Port and terminal operator DP World Australia has placed an AUD 60 million (USD 45.5 million) order for four new Post-Panamax container cranes in an effort to “boost productivity and capacity through its east coast operations.”

Scheduled for delivery in October 2017, the cranes will be built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (ZPMC).

DP World Australia said its Brisbane and Sydney terminals will receive one additional crane each, and the Melbourne terminal will receive two new cranes.

In September 2016, DP World Australia was awarded seven of nine port calls on the A3 consortium’s Asia to Australia service, which connects the east coast Australia ports of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with Asia. The additional services are expected to bring an additional 100,000 containers through DP World Australia per year.

The port and terminal operator revealed also in September this year that Swire Shipping’s Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Pacific Islands (PI) service will return to its Brisbane and Sydney terminals.

“The AUD 60 million investment in new crane infrastructure follows two major contract wins for DP World Australia’s: the A3 consortium’s decision to award seven of nine port calls on the Asia to Australia service, and the return of Swire Shipping’s Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands service to our Brisbane and Sydney terminals,” Max Kruse, DP World Australia Chief Operations Officer, said.