Southampton completes £60m crane investment

Associated British Ports (ABP) has welcomed two new quay cranes at DP World Southampton, completing a £60 million investment programme that strengthens the port’s capacity to handle the world’s largest container ships and support growing international trade.

The delivery marks a further milestone for the Port of Southampton, the UK’s leading gateway for deep-sea trade. The four cranes will enhance container-handling infrastructure at the terminal, which processes around two million containers annually, connecting British businesses with markets worldwide.

Alastair Welch, ABP regional director for Southampton, said: “Congratulations to DP World on the arrival of their new cranes. It’s the latest in a line of ‘giant’ milestones for the Port of Southampton in 2026, following on from the first two cranes and successful calls by the largest vessels in the world in key cargo categories like containers and automotive. We remain ambitious for the port and its role in supporting jobs, trade and economic growth.”

The completed programme strengthens Southampton’s ability to accommodate increasing vessel sizes and maintain efficient cargo operations. The investment also supports supply chain resilience as businesses depend on reliable connections to international markets.

Owned and operated by ABP, Southampton is a major UK hub for container shipping, automotive trade and cruise operations. Its container terminal is operated by DP World, which has invested in equipment to expand handling capability and support future demand.

The crane investment comes during a significant year for the port, which has welcomed some of the world’s largest cruise, automotive and container vessels in 2026.