First moves in a bigger plan: APM Terminals Elizabeth optimises new crane use for the future

In March 2025, APM Terminals Elizabeth secured a 33-year lease extension with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, committing to operating the terminal through 2062. While the contract spelled out the future, it also posed a stark challenge: How do you grow a terminal when there’s no room to grow? The answer: You get smarter with what you already have.

The challenge: Limited space, expanding demand

APM Terminals Elizabeth handles over a quarter of the port complex’s annual container volume. But with land at a premium and shipping demand expected to rise long into the future, the terminal faces a critical inflection point. To meet capacity needs and serve next-generation vessels, it needs to reimagine how every square meter is used — starting with its most visible assets.

“We’re not just adding new cranes — we’re orchestrating a shift in how we serve ships,” said Jennifer Murphey, Head of Project Management. “The goal is to unlock capacity without expanding our footprint.”

The $55 million crane replacement and redeployment initiative is the first visible step in a long-term terminal modernization strategy. Four new high-profile cranes — each towering 229 feet — arrived in late 2024. These giants replace smaller, older models and are specially engineered to handle Ultra Large Container Vessels of up to 18,000 TEUs.

The cranes are being deployed in a tightly sequenced operation that will result in ten high-profile cranes aligned along the east berth. This configuration enables the terminal to simultaneously service two 18,000+ TEU vessels, dramatically increasing productivity through “crane intensity” and reducing vessel port stays. Five Post Panamax cranes stand along the south berth, completing the terminal’s complement of 15 ship-to-shore (STS) cranes.

“It’s not just about putting cranes in place — it’s about putting the right cranes in the right sequence to achieve the full potential of the assets while delivering maximum value for our customers,” said Murphey.

Progress in motion

All four cranes have been “commissioned” and are now fully operational. The final crane is on track for commissioning in mid-July. The project is executed in partnership with ZPMC, the original equipment manufacturer responsible for both delivery and reassembly. Each crane arrived partially dismantled to pass under the Bayonne Bridge and were fully assembled on-site. When the lineup is complete, APM Terminals Elizabeth will be on track to boost its lift capacity by 240,000 lifts per year—raising the total to a goal of 1.7 million annual lifts by 2030.

The crane redeployment is part of a broader commitment to modernize infrastructure, support jobs, and service key shipping line partners including Maersk, Hapag Lloyd, and Wan Hai. It’s also a signal to the market: APM Terminals Elizabeth is not only ready for tomorrow — it’s actively building it.

“This project is just the beginning,” said Henrik Kristensen, Managing Director of APM Terminals Elizabeth. “The lease extension gave us the certainty to invest. Now we’re showing what that investment looks like in action — more efficiency, more reliability, and ultimately, a stronger U.S. supply chain.”