La Spezia Container Terminal Lays Out €90M for Mega-Ship Handling Gear

Port infrastructure investments are shifting gears across the Mediterranean as terminal operators race to accommodate ultra-large containerships. La Spezia Container Terminal has placed a €90 million order for advanced container handling equipment to future-proof its Ligurian operations, according to Container News. The capital outlay by the Contship Italia subsidiary, which operates under the Eurogate group umbrella, targets both vessel-to-shore productivity and landside yard efficiency as cargo volumes scale upward.

Upgrading for 24,000 TEU Mega-Max Vessels

La Spezia Container Terminal is scaling its seaside infrastructure to service ultra-large containerships boasting capacities of up to 24,000 TEU. The €90 million procurement package features four massive ship-to-shore cranes alongside 18 yard handling units, which include a mix of rubber-tyred gantry cranes and double-cantilever rail-mounted gantry cranes. An unnamed Chinese manufacturer has secured the contract to build the machinery, with factory handovers and on-site deliveries slated for the second half of 2028. These specifications allow the Ligurian gateway to maintain competitive parity with larger North European and Western Mediterranean ports handling alliance mainliner loops.

"The €90 million equipment procurement underpins a broader operational strategy to handle mega-max tonnage and expand annual throughput at the Port of La Spezia."

Terminal operators across Southern Europe face mounting pressure to upgrade berths as carriers deploy record-breaking vessel sizes on Far East and transatlantic strings. Without matching outreach and outreach height on STS cranes, terminals risk losing mainline vessel calls to deep-water competitors capable of working high-stack deck configurations.

How does this fund the Ravano Terminal expansion?

The machinery procurement forms a critical component of the broader Ravano Terminal expansion project at the Port of La Spezia. This multi-phase infrastructure initiative will construct a new 524-metre quay alongside yard developments that introduce roughly 600,000 TEU of incremental annual capacity. La Spezia Container Terminal currently handles around 1.4 million TEU annually, meaning the expansion will significantly elevate regional throughput capability once construction gets underway and reaches completion.

• Procurement of 4 ultra-large ship-to-shore cranes capable of 24,000 TEU vessel outreach.
• Addition of 18 yard machines including rubber-tyred and rail-mounted gantry cranes.
• Construction of a 524-metre berth under the Ravano Terminal expansion project.
• Addition of approximately 600,000 TEU to current annual handling capacities.

Meanwhile, parallel developments continue elsewhere in the port basin, where rival operator Tarros has awarded initial construction contracts to a domestic consortium for its own Terminal del Golfo upgrades.

What to watch next

Fleet managers, charterers, and supply chain directors should monitor three key milestones as this Italian gateway progresses its multi-million-euro infrastructure overhaul:

First, watch for the official ground-breaking and construction timeline announcements for the Ravano Terminal 524-metre quay development. Second, track the manufacturing milestones and shipping schedules of the heavy-lift carriers transporting the four STS cranes from Asia ahead of the 2028 delivery window. Third, follow the progress of the rival Terminal del Golfo civil works led by the Carlo Agnese SpA, Societa Edilizia Tirrena SpA, and Ferraloro Srl consortium to gauge cumulative capacity growth at the Port of La Spezia.

Frequently asked

What equipment did La Spezia Container Terminal order?

La Spezia Container Terminal ordered four ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 18 pieces of yard equipment, including rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs), at a total cost of €90 million.

What size vessels will the new STS cranes serve?

The four new ship-to-shore cranes are designed to service ultra-large containerships with cargo capacities of up to 24,000 TEU.

When is the new port equipment scheduled to arrive?

Deliveries of the newly ordered handling equipment from an unnamed Chinese manufacturer are expected to take place during the second half of 2028.

What is the Ravano Terminal expansion project?

The Ravano Terminal expansion is a port development project at La Spezia that will add a 524-metre berth and approximately 600,000 TEU of annual handling capacity.