Port of Oakland debuts European-built STS cranes

The Port of Oakland has taken delivery of two new ship-to-shore (STS) container cranes at its TraPac terminal, marking the first deployment of European-built cranes of this type on the U.S. West Coast.

Port of Oakland debuts European-built STS cranes

Manufactured by Liebherr in Ireland, the fully electric cranes arrived in sections and are now being unloaded for on-site assembly by U.S. labour. TraPac expects the cranes to enter service by May 2026.

Once operational, the cranes will rise more than 440 feet — roughly the height of a 40- to 45-story building — giving the terminal the reach needed to work today’s largest container vessels more efficiently.

The added height and outreach are expected to improve container flow and reduce time at berth.

The cranes’ all-electric design aligns with the port’s broader push to modernise terminal infrastructure while cutting emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Cameron Thorpe, CEO of TraPac, said: “These new cranes represent an important investment in the future of the terminal. They improve efficiency today while helping move the port toward a greener future.”

Bryan Brandes, Maritime Director at the Port of Oakland, stated: “We are very excited, and this is part of the port’s broader modernisation efforts. We’re focused on making improvements that support reliable operations and long-term environmental goals.”

The two units are the first of four planned for the TraPac terminal, with two additional cranes scheduled to arrive later this year.

In November 2025, the Port of Oakland processed 174,239 TEUs, marking a 4.1 per cent decline year-over-year (YoY) and a 4.7 per cent drop from October.