The Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority is making a significant investment in its maritime infrastructure with the acquisition of a XCD$15 million high-capacity mobile harbour crane from global equipment manufacturer Liebherr.
The new crane is expected to arrive within the coming months and will replace a 23-year-old unit that has increasingly fallen short of modern performance demands.
According to Port Manager and CEO Darwin Telemaque, the new crane is engineered for higher lifting capacity, faster handling speeds, and broader reach—capabilities that are crucial for adapting to the evolving demands of global shipping. “We will get a lot more done because this is a faster, more efficient crane. We can lift heavier weights with it,” he told IPB.
Currently, the port is limited to handling vessels that are nine containers wide. With the addition of the new crane, that reach will increase to 14 containers—approaching the standards required to accommodate Post-Panamax vessels, which are increasingly common in Caribbean trade routes. Post-Panamax ships, which are wider than the original Panama Canal dimensions, now dominate international container shipping, and regional ports must adapt or risk obsolescence.
According to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), ports in the region must modernize and adopt more efficient handling systems to remain competitive in global trade and support regional economic integration.
Therefore, the crane’s lifting power is a major upgrade. The existing equipment can manage just over 80 tonnes, whereas the new crane can handle up to 124 tonnes, with test loads exceeding 150 tonnes—well above the standard 24-30 tonne weight of fully loaded containers. This additional capacity will enable the port to accommodate larger vessels more safely and efficiently.
Telemaque shared that faster operations will not only reduce port congestion but also lower operational costs for shipping lines—a critical factor in port selection.
“Every vessel wants to know that it can come into a port and be efficiently handled. Ships pay the port for cargo handling, so it’s supposed to receive the cargo, handle it, move it away from the ship, and get the ship going on its merry way,” he explained. “Obviously, if you have an inefficient and challenging piece of equipment in that process, you’re going to add cost and delays.”
Increased cargo throughput also has direct implications for national revenue and job creation. Faster turnaround times mean more vessels can be serviced per day, potentially leading to greater trade volume and auxiliary economic activity at the port and in related sectors.
To ensure the long-term functionality of the crane, the Port Authority will train local technicians in preventative maintenance and repair. Selected personnel will receive specialized instruction at Liebherr’s manufacturing facility, ensuring that the equipment remains in optimal condition throughout its lifecycle.
Beyond the immediate benefits in handling and efficiency, Telemaque said the crane acquisition is part of a broader strategy to position Antigua and Barbuda as a logistics hub in the Eastern Caribbean.
