New Liebherrs at Dover port

Two Liebherr mobile harbour cranes are being used at the Port of Dover, operating on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

Liebherr LTM 550 mobile harbour crane at work in Dover (Photo: Liebherr)

The machines, an LHM 280 and LHM 550, were installed at to strengthen a fleet of equipment that enables the multi-purpose terminal to handle and distribute different types of cargo arriving and departing.

The LHM 550 is the larger of the pair, able to lift 104 tonnes and with a maximum outreach of 54 metres, while the smaller has an 84 tonne lift capacity and will reach out to 40 metres.

This means the cranes can handle steel, breakbulk, containers, palletised fruit, among others.

Hydrostatic drive and closed loop hydraulic circuits guarantee immediate reaction times for rapid and precise operation.

Crane design

The Liebherr LHM cranes design was an important factor for the Port of Dover when procuring the cranes, especially given the exposed and windy nature of the terminal.

The two cranes have the ability to work in high wind speeds, meaning vessels can be unloaded all year round, in nearly all weather conditions.

The new Liebherr 280 mobile harbour crane at the port of Dover (Photo: Liebherr)

When the cranes were delivered, Karen Hayes, commercial and divisional manager at Port of Dover Cargo, said, ‘Since our new terminal in the Western Docks opened just over a year and a half ago, our business has flourished.

“We have continued to adapt to the latest technologies and techniques, enabling the team to process every range of cargo in the industry and expand our customer base even further.’

Open for business

Last year, Soreidom & Caribbean Line became the port’s first scheduled customer for breakbulk.