Five new LHM 550s will significantly increase Bothra Shipping Services’ bulk handling capacity.
Five new LHM 550s will significantly increase 
Bothra Shipping Services’ bulk handling capacity.
Liebherr Maritime Cranes is about to set a new record for mobile harbour cranes in terms of annual deliveries and annual turnover, exactly 40 years after delivering the first of its kind. The 2014 year has been a fantastic one for Liebherr mobile harbour cranes (LHM) so far. Although final figures cannot be specified at this stage, there is every indication that this year’s results will top the delivery record of 2008, when 102 units were shipped worldwide. In a year full of highlights, May was the most successful month. Throughout the month 20 new order intakes filled the book, worth more than 60 million euros. “Liebherr managed to achieve a significant rise in deliveries of mobile harbour cranes, despite the fact that the world economy grows only moderately. This year, we expect our market share to be in the range of 70 per cent, underlining our market-leading position. Our customers highly value the quality of our products and our ambitions to continuously improve productivity through innovation. The balanced mixture of new and follow-up orders confirms the outstanding competitiveness of our products as well as the high satisfaction level of existing customers,” said Matthias Mungenast, Sales Director for Liebherr mobile harbour cranes. 40 years of experience in the mobile harbour crane sector The anniversary year 2014 is record-breaking and on target for being the most successful one ever for Liebherr Maritime Cranes. In 1974, when Liebherr entered the market, demand for mobile harbour cranes was small. After 20 years of moderate but constant business, Liebherr accomplished their 100th LHM delivery in 1994. The same year marks a significant turnaround, with annual deliveries being double-digit for the first time. Two years ago, in 2012, Liebherr achieved a major milestone, delivering the 1000th mobile harbour crane to Montoir Bulk Terminal in France. Today, Liebherr has supplied more than 1200 units to nearly 100 countries all over the world. Remarkable is the exponential increase in demand. While it was taking 31 years to sell the first 500 Liebherr mobile harbour cranes, the next 500 have been accomplished in less than seven years. This is testament to the enduring increase in demand for flexible cargo handling solutions. Liebherr mobile harbour cranes preferred choice across the globe Europe is traditionally the strongest region and has again heavily invested in the versatility of Liebherr mobile harbour cranes. In Germany, the strongest mobile harbour crane available in the market, type LHM 600, has recently started operation for Wallmann & Co., representing the fourth LHM unit in their cargo handling fleet. All in all, companies in not less than thirteen European countries have received LHMs to boost their port operation this year. The ongoing economic development in many African countries also stimulates demand for highly efficient port equipment. Earlier this year, Liebherr announced a major order intake. A purchasing association of Algerian port operators has opted for 20 Liebherr mobile harbour cranes. Thanks to this large mobile harbour crane order, the total number of LHMs delivered to Algeria nearly doubled and jumped to 43. Many more units were delivered to African countries, including Angola, Nigeria and Senegal. Customers based in the Americas have invested in mobile harbour cranes on a high level throughout the year. Especially in Latin America, Liebherr experiences a rise in demand with more than 50 order intakes in only four years. In Peru, Callao S.A. has received two LHM 550s, which significantly increase container and bulk capacity in the port. The port has already had two LHM 550s in operation since 2012. Each of the four LHM 550s is equipped with Liebherr’s hybrid power booster Pactronic®. In 2014, further mobile harbour cranes were shipped to various countries, such as Brazil, Canada and Guatemala. In Asia and Oceania the number of deliveries is also higher than expected at the beginning of the year. In India, Bothra Shipping Services operates five LHM units. This year, the company decided to double their existing LHM fleet, opting for five new machines. Two LHM 550s will be delivered in 2014 and a further three machines, type LHM 550, in 2015. More LHM units have been delivered to Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, amongst others. Substantial R&D investments result in new innovations Liebherr’s clear commitment to in-house research and development has produced a number of new technologies which have driven the complete mobile harbour crane sector. This includes the modular design principle, advanced systems for tandem lifts and anti-sway as well as the awarded hybrid power booster Pactronic®. In 2013, the LiSIM® range of simulators for professional crane driver training was launched. Customers can either invest in their own simulator or up-skill their workforce in one of the Liebherr Maritime Crane training centres. In June 2014, Liebherr launched the innovative SmartGrip® technology, which optimises grab filling rates in a self-learning manner. In the meantime, several cranes all over the world have already been equipped with SmartGrip®. Standing for more turnover, less stress and zero overloads, this technology is not only available for new cranes but also suitable for retrofits of existing cranes. Robust demand expected Ports continue to purchase new cargo handling equipment in order to cope with growing volumes or due to modernization processes. As a solid investment, mobile harbour cranes provide the flexibility and productivity many ports are looking for. More and more ports opt for the most successful mobile harbour crane design in the market, which results in a well-filled order book. For that reason, Liebherr is optimistic that the demand for its mobile harbour cranes will continue to be very high in the near future.