The first European-built ship-to-shore cranes ever delivered to a US West Coast port are now fully operational. Manufactured by Liebherr in Ireland, the cranes arrived in sections in January 2026 and were assembled on-site at the Port of Oakland’s TraPac Terminal by Pacific Crane Maintenance Company using ILWU union labour.
Rising more than 440 feet, roughly the height of a 40-story building, the cranes quickly transformed the Oakland skyline. Their boom arms were added to extend their reach, and both units were on the rails and ready for commissioning. On July 7, the Port of Oakland and TraPac celebrated the commissioning of the first two of four new electric Liebherr ship-to-shore cranes at TraPac’s Oakland terminal.
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“These cranes represent a commitment to Oakland and the promise of Oakland,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney. “It’s our shared commitment, it’s our shared endeavors, it’s our shared growth, it’s our shared opportunity and the prosperity that we bring to our communities and regions far and wide with global trade.”
For TraPac, this project represents much more than the arrival of new equipment. It’s an investment in the future of the terminal and the Port of Oakland.
“These cranes give us the ability to service the largest container vessels operating today, vessels that were previously beyond our reach,” said Chris Lambert, TraPac Oakland Head of Operations. “That means greater cargo capacity, improved efficiency, faster vessel turnaround, and a stronger gateway for global trade.”
Greater energy efficiency means a lower carbon footprint per lift and supports cleaner air for the communities surrounding the Port of Oakland, including the neighborhoods of West Oakland that are closest to port operations.
The cranes also strengthen the Port of Oakland’s role as one of the West Coast’s premier gateways for refrigerated and agricultural cargo.
“California’s farmers and food exporters depend on reliable, high-capacity infrastructure to move products to markets around the world,” said TraPac’s Lambert. “From fresh produce grown in the Central Valley to California wine and dairy exports, these cranes will help cargo move more efficiently and reliably through Oakland.”
The impact extends beyond terminal operations. The Port of Oakland supports tens of thousands of jobs across California and serves as a critical link in the global supply chain. The construction and assembly of these cranes alone generated approximately 2,100 jobs, all performed by skilled ILWU labour.
Through this investment in infrastructure built for the future, TraPac is helping ensure that the Port of Oakland remains competitive, resilient, and ready to meet the demands of global trade for years to come. The new cranes stand as a symbol of what’s possible when innovation, investment, and partnership come together to build for the future.
Two more Liebherr electric cranes are currently under construction at TraPac Terminal and are expected to be operational in autumn 2026.
TraPac Cranes – By the Numbers
• 4 new cranes – Two are now in service, with two more under assembly
• 440+ feet tall – About the height of a 40-story building, making these the tallest cranes on the Oakland waterfront
• 24 container rows – Designed to reach across a vessel nearly 200 feet wide
• 11 containers high – Able to work container stacks up to 11 high on deck
• 100% electric – Powered entirely by electricity, supporting cleaner cargo handling operations