Four towering container cranes were shipped into Melbourne's port on Saturday, drawing a crowd of curious onlookers.

The giant "post-Panamax" cranes are destined for the Webb Dock container terminal in Port Melbourne, which is due to become operational at the end of the year.

The huge ''post-Panamax'' cranes arrive at the Port of Melbourne. Credit:Leigh Henningham

The cranes were shipped from China on the deck of Zhen Hua 21, a St Vincent and Grenadines-flagged vessel that specialises in transporting heavy container cranes.

Part of a $1.6 billion expansion of the capacity of the Port of Melbourne, the redevelopment of Webb Dock will see Philippine port operator ICTSI become the port's third stevedoring company.