The recent deliveries of four Liebherr mobile harbour cranes underlines the growing demand for innovative cargo handling solutions at ports across the United Kingdom
Thirty years after the delivery of the first UK Liebherr mobile harbour crane to the Port of Goole, the demand for Liebherr products is on a high level. In January 2015, the company North West Trading Ltd. in Birkenhead opted for an LHM 180. The versatile machine was the first LHM equipped with the new Liebherr 400kW diesel engine that meets the latest European Union emission standards stage IV. With this forward-looking investment the entrepreneurs of North West Trading made a consequent commitment to modern and environmentally friendly technology.
Innovative technology for higher turnover
Another state-of-the-art mobile harbour crane LHM 180 with a Liebherr stage IV diesel engine was purchased by ABP Newport. They opted for an LHM to increase the efficiency of their 685-acre port, which currently handles a throughput of around 1.5 million tonnes of cargo annually. The LHM 180, which has a maximum lifting capacity of 64 tonnes and an outreach of up to 35 metres. The machine will be principally used for the handling of bulk by means of a 24m3 Verstegen mechanical grab and is also capable of handling project cargo and containers.
The 24m³ Verstegen mechanical grab is a particularly large grab for the LHM 180 model but this crane will be the first in the UK to be fitted with Liebherr’s new SmartGrip bulk handling system. SmartGrip enables considerably larger grabs to be fitted than was previously possible. This unique technology operates as an intelligent system that optimises grab filling rates in a self-learning manner with SmartGrip’s numerous advantages, also including greater performance efficiency and zero overloads.
Second LHM 550 now in service at London’s major port
Following excellent results from the purchase of its first LHM 550 mobile harbour crane, Forth Ports has recently purchased a second LHM 550 from Liebherr Maritime Cranes for The Port of Tilbury.
Configured with a 54m boom, the LHM 550 benefits from a boom fulcrum height of 22m allowing post-Panamax-sized container vessels to be easily serviced. A capacity of up to 1,500 tonnes or 32 cycles per hour is achievable in this configuration. The LHM 550 comes up with a maximum hook height of 45m above the quay, descending to 15m below quay combined with a variable rope speed of between 0 and 120m per minute. These characteristics make the crane a versatile performer under all conditions.
Robert Alexander, Sales Manager at Liebherr Great Britain and Ireland, said:
“We are proud to be working with the Port of Tilbury. This new purchase further cements an excellent working relationship and extends our portfolio of cranes at the port. We wish the port every success as they expand their operations and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”
LHM 420 to support green energy supply
The British port operator Peel Ports invested around £100 million in the construction of a transshipment and storage terminal for pellets in the port of Liverpool. Storage facilities for a total of approximately 100,000 tonnes of pellets will be created and a throughput of up to 3 million tonnes of pellets per year is estimated. To handle this high amount of cargo efficiently, Peel Ports opted for a Liebherr mobile harbour crane type LHM 420.
The new LHM 420 has an outreach of 48 metres and provides a maximum lifting capacity of 124 tonnes. A powerful crane set-up ensures high speed in terms of hoisting, slewing and luffing in order to achieve maximum turnover.
Outlook for 2016
Throughout the world, the demand for Liebherr mobile harbour cranes and their innovative features is on a very high level. For that reason, Liebherr is optimistic that 2016 will be another successful year for its mobile harbour cranes in the United Kingdom. Liebherr Maritime Cranes has very promising UK projects for its mobile harbour cranes product range in the pipeline for 2016.
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