Operations at the Deepwater Harbour cargo port are now faster, smoother, and significantly more efficient following the commissioning of a new state-of-the-art mobile harbour crane on Friday—an investment that marks a significant leap forward for Antigua and Barbuda’s trade and trans-shipment ambitions. Although the crane arrived several weeks ago, it was officially commissioned on Friday.

The modern crane, built to handle the increasingly demanding logistics of regional and international shipping, brings substantial lifting power and advanced operational capabilities to the port.

Designed for heavy-duty performance, the crane boasts a lifting capacity of up to 104 tonnes and is capable of swiftly moving containers, bulk cargo, and oversized equipment with precision. Its extended outreach allows it to service a wide range of vessels, including larger container ships that previously presented operational challenges.

Equipped with modern safety systems, computerized load management technology, and enhanced energy efficiency, the crane is expected to significantly reduce cargo handling times, decrease vessel turnaround, and increase overall productivity at the port.

Port Manager Darwin Telemaque says the new equipment not only enhances Antigua and Barbuda’s capacity to manage growing trade volumes but also strengthens its position as a competitive trans-shipment hub in the Eastern Caribbean.

Faster offloading and loading times mean shipping lines can expect improved reliability and potentially reduced operational costs—a win for importers, exporters, and the wider business community.

Telemaque says that with global trade evolving rapidly, investments like this are critical to keeping Antigua and Barbuda at the forefront of regional logistics.

The new crane was named after Sucket. 

“The legacy of Sucket is one that the port must cherish. You don’t achieve great things with equipment, money, but hearts, hands, and minds. He labored for this port in ways that we respect; we miss Sucket, as he never fussed. I have never seen or heard him say I don’t want to do it, no matter what the circumstances are,” Telemaque said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gaston Browne stated that the newly commissioned crane will help reduce the cost of clearing containers, ultimately lowering prices and the overall cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda.

“If we can double our volumes,” he noted, “we can create greater efficiency at the port, efficiency that translates into real savings for importers and, by extension, consumers.”
The commissioning of the crane signals the government’s broader commitment to port modernization, increased efficiency, and long-term economic resilience.