The skyline of Saint John will see some considerable changes in the very near future.

DP World is preparing to double the number of container cranes it operates at Port Saint John.

Two cranes, coming on a barge from South Carolina, are due to arrive in the Port City on Friday.

The 115-metre cranes are taller and wider than the two existing cranes installed and commissioned in 2017 when DP World began operations in Saint John, according to Port Saint John.

Officials said the added cranes will double the port’s capacity to move containers from ship to shore.

The new additions are part of a “historic” investment announced in June by DP World for its container terminal at Port Saint John.

According to the company, the additional cranes will allow two container vessels to be handled simultaneously. They can service vessels with a capacity between 10,000 and 14,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs).

Terrence White, general manager of DP World Saint John, declined to say how much they are investing in the enhancements.

“The equipment listed along with the technology that will be integrated into DP World Saint John is substantial – quay cranes are some of the most significant terminal assets that can be purchased,” White said in a statement in June.

Other upgrades include additional reach stackers, more internal transfer vehicles and container trailers, an upgraded terminal operating system, a new truck gate system, and enterprise-wide financial management systems.

The investment comes as Port Saint John undergoes a $205-million modernization project to increase its capacity to 300,000 TEUs. An additional $38 million from the federal and provincial governments, announced in May, will allow the port to grow its capacity to 800,000 TEUs.

Nearly 87,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) came through the port in 2021, and CEO Craig Estabrooks has said he expects that number to surpass 200,000 TEUs by the end of 2023.

Community members can view the arrival of the new cranes on the Market Square Boardwalk near the Hilton Hotel at 5:15 p.m. Friday.

A community celebration and an additional viewing of the cranes will take place at the Area 506 Container Village viewing deck from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. Hot beverages and treats will also be available.