A team of four German engineers is in Antigua overseeing the reassembly of the country’s newest piece of port infrastructure, a US$6.2 million Liebherr LHM 420 mobile harbour crane that officials say will revolutionize operations at the St. John’s Port.
The engineers, dispatched by crane manufacturer Liebherr, are working alongside local port staff to ensure the state-of-the-art machine is assembled and commissioned to international standards. At the same time, a group of Antiguan operators has begun intensive training to master the crane’s advanced control systems and safety protocols.
Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin, who inspected the crane on its arrival, described the acquisition as a “game-changing addition” to national infrastructure. The German-built machine can handle up to 60 containers per hour, a capacity regarded as a benchmark for efficiency in the Eastern Caribbean.
Port Manager Darwin Telemaque believe the crane will slash turnaround times, attract additional trans-shipment business, and open new employment opportunities for locals.
The crane was delivered in 18 separate components, all of which have now been discharged. Assembly is underway, with reloading of containers scheduled shortly after installation milestones are completed.
The harbour crane forms a cornerstone of the Port Authority’s modernization drive, which seeks to:
• Enhance Antigua and Barbuda’s role as a regional logistics hub,
• Increase government revenue through improved trade flows, and
• Provide modern equipment that can meet the demands of global shipping.
Impressive machine, but maintenance and proper management will be key. Otherwise, it could end up another expensive white elephant.
Game changer? We’ll see. The real test is whether it reduces shipping delays that hurt businesses.
$6.2 million is a big price tag, but if it really speeds up port operations, it will pay for itself.
Finally! This is the kind of investment we need if Antigua is serious about being a logistics hub.
Great to see Antigua finally investing in modern equipment. This crane will definitely make the port more efficient and competitive
Training local operators alongside the Germans is the right move. When the engineers leave, Antigua must be ready to run this machine on our ownd
We can buy all the equipment in the world, but if port management doesn’t improve, delays and inefficiencies will still happen
Let’s get this work going
Six million US dollars is a lot of money. I hope this crane will actually benefit ordinary Antiguans and not just a handful of businesses
While the investment is substantial, modern harbour equipment like this is critical for keeping Antigua competitive in the Caribbean shipping and tourism markets. Hopefully, local operators and technicians are being trained alongside the assembly so that knowledge stays here.
Good to know Antiguan operators are being trained properly. We don’t want to depend on foreign engineers forever