"They are the biggest in Africa and can handle new generation vessels with 24 containers stowed across the deck," said Gigaba.
The new equipment could simultaneously handle two 12-metre containers or four six-metre containers and could lift up to a maximum of 80 tons, he said.
The cranes were purchased to boost productivity and efficiency at the Durban port, which was Transnet's busiest.
Transnet group chief executive Brian Molefe said the cranes could move 33 containers an hour compared with the older models that had moved a maximum of 18 containers an hour.
He said the cranes would increase port efficiency as containers would be offloaded more rapidly.
"Transnet employees have been trained to operate the cranes," he added.
Gigaba said Transnet's employees had to develop their operational skills, container planning, technical support, and maintenance skills.
The cranes built in China and supplied by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries.
Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge
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