Port du Havre, France's premier container port for foreign trade, has welcomed four of the world's largest latest-generation gantries to the GMP - PortSynergy-operated Terminal de France confirming the position of the port and of HAROPA, in the world's maritime flows.

Coming from China by sea, the four gantries ordered by GMP arrived on the Zhen Hua 27, a ship that specialises in transporting heavy loads. Each gantry weighs 2100 tons, has a lifting capacity of 54 metres under the spreader, offers a range of 26 rows of containers and can handle 2 40-foot containers simultaneously.

Inaugurated in 2006, Port 2000 was designed to accommodate the world's largest container ships. The construction of the docks was designed to accommodate modern port equipment such as these new gantries. However, the various departments involved have worked closely together to validate and ensure the success of this spectacular operation.

HAROPA said in a statement that in particular, it was necessary to verify the suitability of the gantries in relation to the permissible load of the docks. Studies were then carried out to make the unloading process safe and find the solution most suited to the dimensions of these machines. 

"The modernisation of port equipment at Le Havre's container terminals complements other projects, including dockside electrification, initiated to address the new generation of container ships and offer our customers the best level of service. The completion of Port 2000 will allow us to increase our capacity to handle container volumes and strengthen HAROPA's position in international port and maritime corridors”, says Baptiste Maurand, Managing Director of HAROPA - Port du Havre.

The new gantries are scheduled to come into service in October.

This latest acquisition is part of the development of GMP - PortSynergy, which already operates 10 gantries on Le Havre’s port 2000 terminals and also confirms the position of the port of Le Havre, and more broadly of HAROPA, in the world's maritime flows.

At the same time, the plans for Port 2000’s completion are continuing. Covering 42 hectares and 700 m of additional linear quay space, land preparation and construction work on the quay at Stations 11 and 12 has begun.

The new container terminal is expected to be operational in 2024. At the same time, completion of the study phase for the direct river access to Port 2000 project is expected to take place by the end of the year to make way for the public inquiry. The first work is expected to start in 2022, with commissioning at the end of 2023.

"The performance of these new gantries will enable us to handle the largest existing and future container ships (24 000 TEUs) as well as improve our productivity in a sustainable manner”, adds Louis Jonquière, Managing Director of GMP.