Konecranes Automated Stacking Cranes Ordered for Eurogate Wilhelmshaven
30-Second Takeaway
Konecranes will supply four Automated Stacking Cranes to Eurogate Terminal Solutions for Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven in Germany. Booked in the third quarter of 2026, the order is scheduled for handover in the second quarter of 2028 and includes an option for four additional cranes for Hamburg. The Wilhelmshaven units will integrate with the terminal’s equipment control system and existing equipment, supporting Eurogate’s supplier-agnostic automation strategy. Konecranes says its crane concept combines automated container handling with Active Load Control to reduce sway and improve positioning accuracy.
Konecranes Automated Stacking Cranes
Eurogate Terminal Solutions GmbH has ordered four Konecranes Automated Stacking Cranes, or ASCs, for Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven The cranes will support the terminal operator’s transition towards automated yard operations, working within an environment that includes equipment from multiple suppliers.
The order was booked in Q3 2026, with handover planned for Q2 2028.
The agreement also provides an option for four additional ASCs for Eurogate Container Terminal Hamburg. These optional units are separate from the confirmed Wilhelmshaven order.
Integration with Eurogate’s Equipment Control System
The Wilhelmshaven project will connect the new cranes to the terminal’s existing equipment control system, or ECS. Eurogate is pursuing a supplier-agnostic automation strategy, requiring equipment manufacturers to integrate with its control architecture rather than building the terminal around a single supplier’s system.
For Konecranes, the project therefore includes meeting both the crane operating requirements and the interfaces needed for coordinated automated container handling.
The approach gives Eurogate flexibility to combine equipment from different manufacturers within its wider yard operation.
In-House Automation Supports Selection
Konecranes was selected for its in-house automation capabilities and its ability to meet Eurogate’s technical and operational requirements. The crane concept must provide reliable availability while functioning within the terminal’s chosen system architecture.
Axel Jachens, Project Manager at Eurogate Technical Services GmbH, said:
“With their proven, highly available crane concept, we are confident that we can meet our technological and operational demands.”
The project connects equipment performance with system integration, making compatibility with the terminal’s ECS a central part of the supply.
Active Load Control for Container Positioning
Konecranes ASCs are designed for high-density container yards, where automated stacking and retrieval depend on accurate load positioning. The cranes incorporate Active Load Control, which reduces load sway and supports positioning accuracy during container movements.
Konecranes says more than 600 of its Automated Stacking Cranes have been delivered or are in operation worldwide.
That figure represents the manufacturer’s wider deployment base, rather than the number of cranes ordered by Eurogate.
Four Additional Cranes Optioned for Hamburg
The agreement includes an option for four ASCs at Container Terminal Hamburg, extending the potential scope beyond Wilhelmshaven. The confirmed four-crane order will be handed over in the second quarter of 2028. The Hamburg units remain an option under the agreement.
Lasse Merenheimo, Vice President at Konecranes, said:
“As the industry moves toward increasingly automated operations, we are delighted to support Eurogate’s long-term development with solutions that combine proven automation technology, operational efficiency and openness to customer-specific system architectures.”
About Konecranes
Konecranes is a Finnish manufacturer and service provider specialising in lifting and material handling equipment, headquartered in Hyvinkää.
Its operations span Industrial Service, Industrial Equipment and Port Solutions. The company supplies lifting equipment for industrial facilities and container terminals, alongside software, maintenance and spare parts.
Its Port Solutions business provides equipment, software and services for container handling. The industrial service operation supports cranes and hoists from multiple manufacturers, extending its activities beyond its own installed equipment.
Official website: www.konecranes.com
About Eurogate
Eurogate is a container terminal operator established in 1999 through the combination of activities associated with BLG and EUROKAI.
Its terminal network includes German operations in Bremerhaven, Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven, with intermodal connections linking port facilities to inland economic regions.
The group describes itself as shipping-line independent. Its activities combine container terminal operations with intermodal transport links, while its automation programme introduces equipment and control systems intended to support future yard operations.
Official website: www.eurogate.eu
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cranes has Eurogate ordered?
The confirmed order covers four Konecranes Automated Stacking Cranes for Wilhelmshaven.
When will the cranes be handed over?
Handover is scheduled for the second quarter of 2028.
Does the agreement include cranes for Hamburg?
Yes. It includes an option for four additional ASCs for Container Terminal Hamburg.
What is Eurogate’s supplier-agnostic approach?
Equipment from different manufacturers must integrate with the terminal’s ECS, allowing a multi-vendor automation environment.
What does Active Load Control do?
It reduces load sway and improves positioning accuracy during automated container handling.
