• Another new automated stacking crane (ASC) module was commissioned at DP World in Antwerp 
• Three previously delivered quay cranes have also become operational, and another 9 hybrid straddle carriers have joined the terminal's fleet 
• Incoming CEO Nawaf Abdulla will continue the green capacity expansion of Antwerp Gateway with the terminal’s team

DP World adds a new stacking crane module at its terminal in Antwerp and completes the third phase of a €200 million-investment plan – with an aim to provide faster and greener solutions to its customers.

The end-to-end supply chain solutions provider commissioned new cranes and equipment in Antwerp this year; three quay cranes to load and unload ships, six automatic stacking cranes and 9 hybrid straddle carriers (container lifts). This new infrastructure is part of a six-year investment plan for modernisation, decarbonisation and expansion of the Antwerp Gateway Terminal at the Deurganckdok area in the Port of Antwerp.

In 2026, DP World will be able to stack nearly 1 million additional containers on the same surface area, using 100% green energy and emission-reducing technology - thanks to these investments. Customers using DP World’s facilities at Antwerp will benefit from modern and more resilient infrastructure helping to boost speed and sustainability.

The €200-million green investment and improvement plan – supported by the European Union – will continue next year under the leadership of incoming CEO Nawaf Abdulla. During this phase, two final new ZPMC cranes will be shipped to the port of Antwerp from Changxing, China and will arrive in summer 2024. This will bring the final number of quay cranes on the DP World quay at the Deurganckdock to 15. Another 24 automatic stacking cranes will also be added, 8 of which will be constructed next year.

These investments follow the terminal’s recent introduction of other efficiency and security-boosting services, such as an app for truck drivers and fingerprint scanning technology for container collection.

Need for additional container capacity 

Automatic stacking cranes create extra capacity as they can stack containers higher and closer together than traditional straddle carriers, an advantage for terminals in a port with capacity constraints. In addition to the convenience they offer, the cranes also operate on 100% electricity. As the only terminal with this technology, using 85% locally generated electricity, Antwerp Gateway is the greenest terminal in the port of Antwerp. Electrification and decarbonisation of operations allowed the port to cut its CO2 emissions per container movement by half in just eight years, ensuring that it plays its part in DP World’s ultimate goal of becoming net zero by 2050.

Nawaf Abdulla, incoming CEO of DP World Antwerp: 

“DP World continuously invests in the most advanced technologies and equipment. As an end-to-end supply chain solutions provider, we want to strengthen Antwerp Gateway's competitive position by converting the terminal in a sustainable way and make it ready for the future with extra capacity and services for our customers.”

Ready for the future 

Nawaf Abdulla is to be appointed as the new CEO of DP World in Antwerp upon the retirement of Dirk Van den Bosch. He has held various international positions within the group and his new role will see him further expand the services of the terminal in Antwerp in the coming years.