Liebherr has confirmed the successful order of a new LHM 550 mobile harbour crane at South Port, located on New Zealand’s southern island.
The crane will be involved in the handling of container cargo from one of South Port’s major customers, MSC.
The LHM 550 will come equipped with a twin-lift spreader, whilst the tower has been extended, giving the cabin a height of around 29 metres, something deemed necessary as vessels often enter the port light, and therefore sit higher in the water.
This will be the third LHM to be delivered to the port so far.
South Port decided to make the investment ahead of projected increases in containerised cargo over the next five years in the southern region of New Zealand, specifically agricultural products.
It is hoped that the crane will be operational by September of this year and will work in tandem with an LHM 400 delivered back in 2010.
Rex Chapman said “South Port is the regional port operator in Southern New Zealand, and it is important to our clients that we operate with a 2-crane model, giving faster turnaround time to the container vessels and allow for projected growth in this area of the business.”
Cargo operations manager Geoff Finnerty said “We have worked with Liebherr since 1995, so a good partnership has evolved during that time. We know them well, and know that they will provide support when required, despite headquarters being at opposite ends of the world.”
