After Eteläsatama was put solely to passenger traffic, the harbour cranes and the track were dismantled in 1972.

Stationary harbour cranes are considered a new development of the Middle Ages; its earliest use being documented for Utrecht in 1244.

Cranes were used in harbors starting in the Middle Ages - see crane: harbor usage and list of historical harbour cranes.

Some harbour cranes were specialised at mounting masts to newly built sailing ships, such as in Danzig, Cologne and Bremen.

In the late-19th century, the increasing size and capacity of general harbour cranes began to overlap with the lofty but lightweight masting sheer and so their specialisation was no longer required.

Container ships that are processed at these older quays as well as quay 15 have their containers loaded and unloaded by 2 mobile harbour cranes manufactured by Gottwald Port Technology.

In the High Middle Ages, harbour cranes were introduced to load and unload ships and assist with their construction - some were built into stone towers for extra strength and stability.

Architectural landmarks are the former Siebengebirge wharf warehouses and the three Kranhaus buildings (from south to north "KranhausPLUS", "Kranhaus1" and "Pandion Vista"), allegorizing the historical harbour cranes.

APSEZ owns cargo handling equipment like mobile harbour cranes (16 nos.), grab ship unloaders (7 nos.), pay loaders, excavators and conveyor systems for handling of bulk and break-bulk cargo.