Pilbara Ports in Western Australia has placed an order for two ESP.9 Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes for deployment at the Port of Port Hedland, the world’s largest bulk export port by tonnage. The cranes, ordered in the fourth quarter of 2024, are set to be delivered to the Lumsden Point development in 2026, marking a significant step in the port’s capacity expansion efforts.
The Port of Port Hedland handled an impressive 570 million tonnes of throughput during the 2023-24 financial year. With trade volumes projected to grow further, the Lumsden Point development has become a strategic priority to support increasing demand and enhance operational efficiency.
These 200-tonne lifting capacity cranes will provide a substantial boost to the port’s capabilities in handling containerized bulk materials and project cargo. The addition is expected to alleviate congestion and diversify trade opportunities in the region. Each crane is equipped with a 100-meter cable reel to enable an external power supply, enhancing energy efficiency while significantly reducing on-site exhaust and noise emissions.
John Freimanis, Project Director for Lumsden Point at Pilbara Ports, emphasized the importance of the new cranes to the port’s operations. “Mobile harbor cranes are a critical component of the Lumsden Point development, facilitating the export of battery metals, the import of renewable energy infrastructure, and supporting the growth of direct shipping services to the Pilbara,” he stated. Freimanis further highlighted that Konecranes’ customer-centric approach and reliable performance were key factors in the procurement decision. “Pilbara Ports is excited to partner with Konecranes to tailor this high-performance infrastructure to the unique needs of Port Hedland.”
Safety and precision are paramount in handling heavy or oversized loads, and the cranes come equipped with a Tandem-lift Assistant, ensuring smooth operations when using both cranes simultaneously. Their performance will be optimized through a combination of a condition-based maintenance system, Konecranes TRUCONNECT remote monitoring, and a readily available spare parts package.
Holger Wagner, Regional Sales Manager at Konecranes, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership. “Once again, we see our material handling equipment being entrusted to support a vital link in the global economy. Being selected to support the world’s largest bulk export port authority is a great honor for Konecranes. We look forward to helping Pilbara Ports meet its productivity and sustainability goals.”
The crane acquisition aligns with Konecranes’ Ecolifting™ initiative, which aims to increase the environmental benefits of its products while reducing the carbon footprint of customers. This vision includes eco-optimized diesel drives, hybridization, and the development of fully electrified fleets to promote sustainability and efficiency.
Konecranes’ leadership in the material handling industry is driven by a strong focus on customer needs, continuous improvement, and investments in digitalization and technology. Their solutions are designed to make material flows more efficient while advancing decarbonization, circularity, and safety goals within the logistics sector.
