The five contracts include an order for the 200M, the world’s largest hydraulic crane. ABP is the UK’s leading port operator, with a unique network of 21 ports across England, Scotland and Wales. In 2015 ABP and its customers handled 92 million tonnes of cargo ranging from bulks to containers and cars to coal. The new Mantsinen cranes will be deployed at five of ABP’s short sea operations across the UK.
In one of the largest tenders of its type in recent times, ABP specified one hydraulic crane for each of its Short Sea Ports regional sites in Ipswich, King’s Lynn, Teignmouth and Garston and then also for its South Wales region, Swansea.
The Mantsinen machines that Cooper will supply range from a 90M wheeled machine at Teignmouth to a 200M, weighing in excess of 280 tonnes, at Garston. ABP Garston’s contract will not only see the first Mantsinen 200M come to the UK, but it also represents the largest crane of its type to be supplied in the country, beating the 230 tonne Mantsinen 160M machine supplied by Cooper to Belfast Harbour. Two near identical 120M cranes will be delivered to ABP’s Swansea and King’s Lynn sites, while the only tracked machine, a 95R model, is destined for Ipswich.
Tony Rooney, Managing Director of Cooper Specialised Handling, was keen to clarify the methodology of the process, saying: “This wasn’t a single contract for five machines, but rather five individual contracts each involving the provision of one crane.
“The five ABP sites had complete freedom of choice in terms of their handling solution and we are delighted that, completely independently, each port selected Mantsinen as its preferred equipment.”
As well as involving its central operations and engineering management, ABP made sure that the crane operators at each site had an input into the decision making process.
Andrew Harston, ABP Short Sea Ports Director, said: “ABP is dedicated to putting our customers first. That is why we are continuing to invest in brand-new equipment and technology to ensure we can offer our customers the highest possible standards of service and innovative solutions.
“We have been pleased to work with Cooper Specialised Handling. Each port has its own handling needs dependent on vessel sizes, load commodities and in some cases, very specific ground loading requirements.” Cooper will schedule delivery of the Mantsinen cranes to the five ABP sites from October 2016 onwards.

Caption: An example of the Mantsinen 200M hydraulic crane, which ABP has ordered for the Port of Garston.

“Morten Engelstoft has a strong track record of delivering results, deep operational experience and is an excellent people leader. I am confident that APM Terminals under Morten´s leadership will continue to thrive as one of the world´s largest terminal operators and successfully execute on APM Terminals’ priorities of costs, productivity and winning new third party business,” said Søren Skou, CEO of A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S.
Michael Pram Rasmussen, Chairman of the Board of Directors in A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S, thanks Kim Fejfer for his contributions: “Succeeding Kim Fejfer, who during the last 12 years has developed APM Terminals into one of the world’s largest and most successful port operators with outstanding results, is a tall order. Kim has expressed a desire to take on a new challenge when timing was right. On behalf of the A.P. Møller – Mærsk Board and the Company’s employees, I want to thank Kim for his leadership, cooperation and commitment over the years. We wish Kim every success in his new role,” said Rasmussen.
Kim Fejfer, currently CEO of APM Terminals and Executive Board member in the Maersk Group will take up a new role related to APM Holding A/S.
Reflecting on his decision to leave APM Terminals, Kim Fejfer said, “It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the build-up of APM Terminals over the last 12 years. I am extremely proud of the accomplishments that our team has achieved. Today APM Terminals is a core business within the Group and has significant potential for further growth,” Fejfer continued, “It was a tough decision to leave APM Terminals after so many years, but with the new Group strategy in place and a very qualified successor available, I feel the business will be in good and very capable hands.”
APM Terminals is today represented in 69 countries through 75 ports and terminals and 140 inland services locations, serving 60 global shipping lines. By focusing on the core business of port operations, the company’s results and return on invested capital has increased significantly and evolved into a stronger, more sustainable business with a long term growth ambition.
Equally important, significant efforts to create leadership positions in Safety, operational efficiency, environmental sensitivity and long term customer value creation have earned the company international award recognition including the Port Operator Award at the Lloyds List Global Awards in 2015 and Containerisation International’s International Terminal Operator of the Year Award for two consecutive years.

Morten Engelstoft added, “I look forward to joining APM Terminals. Kim has done an excellent job and over the years, APM Terminals has evolved into a sustainable company with long term ambition. I look forward to working with the team as we enter the next chapter which will see us focus on getting more efficiency and utilization from our terminal network while continuing to build business with our global customers.”
Media Contact Tom Boyd, Director, External Communications APM