DP World Southampton has received nine new Kalmar machines to strengthen its straddle carrier fleet.

It is also set to purchase two new super post-panamax quay cranes, which will be ready for delivery in 2018, which will allow it to simultaneously handle three of the largest container vessels afloat.

“We are committed to investing in our infrastructure and operational capabilities to ensure that Southampton can continue to meet the needs of our customers now and in the future,” said Nick Loader, chief executive officer at DP World Southampton.

He added: “Container ships are getting bigger all the time.  The size of container ships importing and exporting goods around the world has nearly doubled in just under 10 years.”

“The world’s largest container ships regularly call at DP World Southampton including the MSC Diana at 19,462 TEU.  However, there are already 21,000 TEU vessels on order for delivery during 2017.”

The straddle carriers arrived fully assembled onboard the vessel MV EEndracht direct from the manufacturing plant in Gdynia, Poland.

This investment comes just after the operator took over an extra 11.2 acres of land at the north east edge of the terminal, creating extra ground space to store containers and bringing the size of the terminal to almost 100 hectares.

The straddle carriers will have more than half will have twin lift capability, giving the terminal the advantage of having more machines that can undertake twin discharge from beneath the quay cranes.

They will undergo necessary performance testing and some additional installation work before they enter operational service.

Last month, DP World Southampton took over an extra 11.2 acres of land at the north east edge of the terminal, creating 640 extra ground spaces to store containers and bringing the size of the facility to almost 100 ha.

The new land will support operations at SCT 5, the terminal’s newest and largest deep-water berth, which opened in March 2014.