Somalev cranes dismantle cranes in Casablanca

Precision operations in the port of Casablanca where Somalev dismantled two container cranes. Photo: Liebherr

Moroccan heavy lifting specialist Somalev Cranes & Logistics chose a pair of wheeled mobile cranes for a job to dismantle two old cranes in the port of Casablanca.

Somalev was tasked with dismantling the Liebherr ship-to-shore (STS) container cranes as part of a terminal modernisation scheme at the port. The cranes had been in operation for more than 20 years.

Decommissioning involved lifting and handling more than 1,400 tonnes of structural steel. Lifts were carried out at heights of up to 70 metres and work had to be done while the port continued to operate. Larger elements of the old cranes, for example, the booms, machinery houses and portal bases, were dismantled in sections.

Somalev chose to use two Liebherr wheeled mobile telescopic cranes for the dismantling; a 400 tonne capacity LTM 1400-7.1 and a 250 tonne LTM 1250/1. Requirements were to have high load capacity, flexibility and an ability to work in the confined port area.

Somalev’s Liebherr LTM 1400-7.1 positioned in a tight spot had to adapt to changeable conditions. The 400 tonner lifts a section of the boom from one of the two decommissioned container cranes. Photo: Liebherr

By the book, or not

As per all the best car repair manuals (but the other way around) “dismantling is a reversal of the assembly sequence.” Not quite.

Changes had been made to the old cranes over the years so some of the load weight and centre of gravity information from the manufacturer may have been affected. Telescopic cranes were chosen in preference to lattice types because their configuration could be adapted more quickly to accommodate these variations and things like unexpected space restrictions.

The cranes had to be reconfigured and rigging changed for different loads. In addition, both cranes worked together on some lifts, requiring synchronisation, careful planning and good communication.

Safety precautions taken by Somalev included risk assessments of damaged components and the use of redundant rigging systems. Access was controlled to the relevant areas and wind speed was monitored continuously.

The 400 and 250 tonne cranes worked together to remove the heavier components of the STS container crane. Photo: Liebherr