Hutchison Ports BEST reinforces its leadership in the Mediterranean with two new quay cranes at the Port of Barcelona

Port Infrastructure

Hutchison Ports BEST has commissioned two new STS quay cranes at its Port of Barcelona facilities, a milestone celebrated today, September 3, 2026. This strategic investment increases its capacity to handle the world's largest vessels and consolidates its position as a leading terminal in the Mediterranean.

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The semi-automated terminal Hutchison Ports BEST has taken a decisive step in its growth strategy with the commissioning of two new dockside cranes (STS), designed to handle the largest container ships globally. This equipment upgrade, celebrated at an official ceremony in the Port de BarcelonaThis not only increases the terminal's operational capacity, but also reinforces its role as a key logistics hub for Spanish foreign trade in the Mediterráneo.

The new equipment, which arrived at the end of June, has undergone a rigorous assembly, testing, and commissioning process to become fully operational. This investment directly reflects the evolution of maritime transport, where large-capacity vessels demand increasingly advanced and efficient infrastructure.

An institutional event for a strategic project

The significance of this investment was evident in the attendance of prominent authorities. The event was attended by Mr. Óscar Puente, Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility; Mr. Miquel Sàmper, Minister of Business and Labour of the Generalitat de CatalunyaMr. Jordi Valls, fourth deputy mayor of the Ajuntament de BarcelonaMrs. Alba Bou, mayor of Prat de Llobregat, and Mr. Jose Alberto Carbonell, Chairman of the Port de BarcelonaThey all agreed on the importance of investing in port infrastructure to strengthen the competitiveness of the economy and the connectivity of supply chains.

Beyond assets: a commitment to resilience and efficiency

under the motto “Much more than Two”, Hutchison Ports BEST He emphasized that the addition of this equipment goes beyond simply adding assets. It represents a boost to capacity, efficiency, and connectivity, designed to support the growth of its clients and the port itself.

In this context, Guillermo BelcastroCEO Hutchison Ports BEST, has stated: "What these two cranes represent goes far beyond the addition of two new assets. They represent greater capacity for our customers, increased productivity for the terminal, and greater flexibility to respond to an increasingly demanding environment. But above all, they will make BEST a more resilient terminal, better prepared to anticipate future challenges and continue offering a reliable, efficient and competitive service.".

Technical capabilities and a vision for the future

The new cranes, manufactured by ZPMC en ChinaThey are of the type Ship-to-Shore (STS) and are designed to handle vessels with up to 26 rows of containers, with a height under the spreader of 55 meters. Their innovative design gooseneck This makes them the largest in the world with this feature, which translates into a direct increase in productivity and flexibility in loading and unloading operations.

With this addition, BEST It has increased its machinery fleet to a total of 15 Super Post-Panamax quay cranes, complemented by 68 automated guided vehicles (AGCs) and 40 shuttle carriers. These operate on a 1.500-meter berth with a draft of 16,5 meters, consolidating one of the largest operational capacities in the Mediterráneo.

Table 1: Updated technical capabilities of the terminal Hutchison Ports BEST.

Feature	Specification / Quantity
New Dockside Cranes (STS)	2 units (manufactured by ZPMC)
Operating Capacity	Ships with up to 26 rows of containers
Height under Spreader	55 meters
Total Super Post-Panamax Dock Cranes	15 units
additional equipment	68 Automated Stabilized Cranes (ASC) and 40 Shuttle Carriers

The terminal, which already has the largest port rail facility in the Mediterráneo With eight tracks, it is currently undergoing an expansion phase that will culminate at the end of 2027. This project will add six additional automated blocks and includes the purchase of three new dock cranes, completing the first phase of the project and decisively strengthening its competitiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What specific equipment has Hutchison Ports BEST incorporated?

The terminal has added two new Ship-to-Shore (STS) quay cranes manufactured by ZPMC. These cranes are designed to operate with the world's largest container ships, with up to 26 rows of containers, and have a height under the spreader of 55 meters.

What is the strategic objective of this investment for foreign trade?

The objective is to increase the terminal's operational capacity, efficiency and flexibility to serve larger vessels, strengthen the Port of Barcelona's connectivity with key international markets and offer a more resilient and competitive service to shipping lines, shippers and logistics operators.

What future expansion plans does the BEST terminal have?

The terminal is currently undergoing an expansion that will be completed by the end of 2027 with the addition of six more automated blocks. Furthermore, the purchase of three new quay cranes has been announced to finalize the first phase of its growth project.