Port of Liverpool increases crane capacity

05 Apr 2011 - Port Planning, Terminal Handling

• New Liebherr harbor crane arrives at Liverpool Port

• New addition brings port crane fleet to a total of eight

A new Liebherr harbour mobile crane with 82 tonne capability has arrived at the Port of Liverpool, taking the total number in the Peel Ports Mersey fleet to eight.

The crane, which will become fully operational later this month, is equipped with real time diagnostic capability and has the ability to handle 82 tonnes at its hook and 41 tonnes when in spreader mode.

David Huck, Head of Port Operations for Peel Ports Mersey, said: “The recent addition to the Mersey harbour mobile fleet is already having an impact upon our operations at The Port of Liverpool. It provides us with the capability to further enhance our customer services across a wide commodity mix including dry bulks, metals and containers handled by barge".

“This crane is the first of several planned for delivery in 2011 and is further evidence of Peel Ports’ commitment to investment and growth. More importantly these cranes will vastly improve our service offering, productivity and capacity, coming with a range of both high and low density grabs with a cubic capacity of 13.5m³ and a 40ft spreader frame,” Huck added.

The new harbour mobile crane was manufactured by Liebherr Austria and was assembled at one of the Port’s bulk terminals within a week. It will undergo an intense commissioning and testing process before becoming fully operational later this month.

Huck added, “This delivery follows strong growth and performance by the division’s team and ensures we are well placed for the future.”

The Port of Liverpool experienced growth in 2010 in all its terminal sectors including dry bulks, liquid bulks, metals, forest products and containers.