an apparatus for transporting surgical needles includes a needle holding apparatus having a movable jaw structure . the jaw structure is releasably biased in a closed position for holding needles in a predetermined position . the jaw structure may include laterally movable first and second sections for rotating a needle therebetween . the needle holding apparatus may be removably positionable on a work surface such that the needle holding apparatus may interface with a needle loading apparatus . the needle loading apparatus provides accommodating means capable of containing a multiplicity of needles . a needle advancing structure , such as a movable track , advances the needles in a predetermined fashion from the accommodating means . the needle advancing structure positions needles such that said jaw structure of the holding apparatus can selectively grasp the needles and transport the needle to another location . an alternative embodiment of a needle holding apparatus includes first and second independently movable jaw structures . the jaw structures are selectively and independently actuable into open and closed positions . the first jaw structure may include laterally movable first and second sections for rotating a needle therebetween . the needle transporting apparatus may further provide a calibrating apparatus having a mounting surface . the calibrating apparatus includes a gauge for measuring lateral motion of the jaw structure of the holding apparatus .