APMT LA to upgrade cranes despite lack of big ships

APM Terminals has signed a contract to enlarge ten ship-to-shore (STS) cranes in order to accommodate ultra-large container ships of up to 20,000 teu capacity at its Pier 400 facility in Los Angeles.

The announcement of this contract comes just a few days after CMA CGM went back on its plan to send six 18,000 teu ships regularly to the US West Coast.

In a statement, the operator said: “While no ULCS of 18,000 teu capacity and above are in regular service to the US West Coast, some carriers have expressed an interest in deploying these vessels as space demand improves.”