Port Tampa Bay is adding new muscle to its container terminal as it moves into a major phase of its Vision 2030 plan.
The port has ordered two Liebherr ship-to-shore cranes that will be built in Ireland and shipped to Tampa, opening a new chapter in how the region handles larger vessels and rising cargo demand along the I-4 corridor.
The deal marks Liebherr’s first ship-to-shore crane contract on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
It also deepens the company’s U.S. footprint at a time when ports are racing to increase capacity, improve efficiency and meet more challenging sustainability goals.
What happened
Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd signed a contract to deliver two new ship-to-shore cranes to Port Tampa Bay.
The cranes will be manufactured at Liebherr’s facility in Killarney, Ireland, then delivered to Tampa for installation at the container terminal.
Each crane will have a 60-meter outreach, a 50-meter lift height, a 20-meter back reach and a 65-tonne twin lift capacity.
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That gives the port the ability to handle larger, wider-beam ships that are calling more often at Florida ports.
The cranes will come loaded with safety and performance technology, including anti-collision systems, anti-sway controls, snag load protection and a curve-going gantry system that supports smooth, stable moves along the berth.
What is planned at the terminal
The new cranes are part of a broader plan to grow Port Tampa Bay’s container terminal to 100 acres.
The expansion includes additional paved storage, a third deep-water berth and an on-dock, rail-served transload facility to help move cargo in and out of Central Florida more quickly.
Port leaders say the investments are aimed at reaching 1M TEUs of annual capacity over time.
The added ship-to-shore capability will support that goal by shortening vessel stays, increasing berth moves per hour and giving carriers more confidence to route bigger ships through Tampa.
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Liebherr’s design also includes energy-efficient drives, regenerative power systems, and controls that cut power use and emissions.
That aligns with the port’s sustainability priorities, which are becoming a bigger factor in shippers’ gateway choices.
Technology and service behind the deal
Beyond the steel and lifting power, the cranes will carry a digital toolbox.
Liebherr is supplying remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance tools and ship profiling technology that help operators plan moves, reduce unplanned downtime and keep cycle times tight.
Liebherr USA will support the cranes through a national service network with teams and parts facilities in Virginia, Mississippi, Michigan, Texas, Florida and other regions.
That local presence was a key part of the agreement, giving Port Tampa Bay confidence in long-term uptime and performance.
“We are proud to partner with Port Tampa Bay as it advances a major phase of its Vision 2030 container expansion,” said Winston Ziegler, head of sales maritime cranes at Liebherr USA. “These Liebherr STS cranes are engineered for productivity, safety and long-term reliability.
With our nationwide service network, we will support the port throughout the lifecycle of the cranes as they accommodate larger vessels and increasing cargo volumes.”
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Port Tampa Bay president and CEO Paul Anderson said the cranes are a cornerstone of the terminal buildout.
“These STS cranes from Liebherr are a critical component of our Vision 2030 plan and will significantly strengthen our ability to serve Florida’s rapidly expanding growth along the I-4 corridor,” he said. “Their advanced technology and performance features will enhance berth productivity, reduce vessel turn times and support future operational goals. This complements our long-term growth plans with our strategic partner, Ports America.”
Why it matters for Tampa Bay
Port Tampa Bay has been pushing to capture a larger share of Florida imports that still arrive through out-of-state gateways. Bigger cranes and deeper capacity are essential pieces of that strategy.
The new Liebherr cranes will allow the port to handle more cargo closer to the state’s population center, which means shorter truck hauls for distribution centers along I-4 and stronger service options for exporters and importers across Central Florida and the Southeast.
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For Tampa Bay business leaders, the project signals that the region is serious about playing in the same league as larger container ports while keeping an eye on efficiency and environmental performance.
Takeaway
With this crane order, Port Tampa Bay is not just adding equipment. It is making a long-term bet on containers as a growth engine for the regional economy.
If Vision 2030 plays out as planned, the new Liebherr cranes will be the workhorses that keep larger ships moving, keep cargo closer to home and keep Tampa Bay in the conversation as one of Florida’s most important trade gateways.