Sterilization apparatus for sterilizing packaging containers(2), the sterilization apparatus comprising a first carousel (20) for supporting a plurality of sterilization devices (50), the sterilization devices (50) being adapted to sterilize an interior of the packaging containers (2) by electron beam irradiation, and a transport system for transporting the packaging containers (2), the transport system comprising a second carousel (40) coaxial with the first carousel (20), wherein the first carousel (20) comprises a first rotatable shaft (28) and the second carousel (40) comprises a separate second rotatable shaft (44) coaxial with the first rotatable shaft (20).
