On 12 March, the Baltic Hub deep-sea container terminal in Gdańsk, Poland, received the final three of seven state-of-the-art Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes for its T3 terminal expansion project.
Once fully completed in late 2025, T3 will significantly enhance the hub’s capacity to accommodate the world’s largest container vessels, reinforcing its status as the leading container hub in the Baltic Sea and transforming it into one of Europe’s largest deep-sea terminal complexes.
The newly arrived STS cranes are among the tallest and most technologically advanced in Europe. Standing 96 meters high (140 meters with the boom raised), they can extend 74 meters across vessels (equivalent to 26 containers wide) and lift containers weighing up to 65 tons to a height of 55 meters.
These cranes were fully assembled before embarking on a 29,500-kilometer sea journey to Poland in December 2024. The first four STS cranes were delivered in October 2024 and are currently undergoing testing with feeder vessels, with a deep-sea vessel test call scheduled for early April.
In addition to the STS cranes, T3 will feature 20 remotely operated automated rail-mounted gantry cranes (aRMGs) designed to optimize container handling and enhance safety. These fully electric cranes, controlled remotely from an administrative building, provide a safer and more efficient working environment.
Currently, 12 aRMGs have been assembled at the T3 yard, with four undergoing live testing. As part of Baltic Hub’s commitment to sustainability, the terminal operates exclusively on electricity sourced from renewable energy.
“Together, these new STS cranes and our new semi-automated terminal setup will enable Baltic Hub to significantly enhance operational efficiency, safety and sustainability. The completion of the T3 terminal will not only support the growing demands of international trade but will also strengthen Poland’s role in the global logistics network,” commented Jan Van Mossevelde, CEO of Baltic Hub.
T3 is being constructed on a 360,000m² artificial peninsula connected to the existing terminal complex. Once fully operational in late 2025, it will increase Baltic Hub’s annual capacity by 1.5 million TEUs, reaching a total of 4.5 million TEUs per year.
The new terminal will also feature a 717-meter-long, 17.5-meter-deep quay capable of accommodating the world’s largest container vessels, solidifying Baltic Hub’s position as a key player in European maritime logistics.
Jan Van Mossevelde added, “Baltic Hub’s T3 expansion represents a major investment in the future of global logistics. By the end of 2025, we will offer even more advanced and efficient container-handling facilities. This development benefits the Polish economy, facilitates trade across the region and ensures Baltic Hub remains a top choice for global shipping lines.”
