Liebherr MCCtec Delivers Crane to Hartel Terminal of Marcor

The LHM 800 mobile harbor crane from Liebherr-MCCtec Rostock GmbH has arrived at the Hartel Terminal of Marcor to serve as a logistical bridge between the quay and the warehouses for dry bulk goods. A second LHM 800 has also been ordered and is expected to be delivered to Marcor later this year.

(Rostock/Rotterdam) The new LHM 800 is part of the terminal’s expansion strategy aimed at achieving a more sustainable operation through the use of more renewable energy and clean drive concepts. The Hartel Terminal covers an area of 130,000 m² and features a 600-meter-long quay with a 16-meter draft. It offers handling capabilities for vessels ranging from barges to 120,000 DWT baby cap-sized ships, for both ship-to-ship transfers and unloading to/from the terminal.

A contribution to a more environmentally friendly bulk industry. And no diesel engine is required. The LHM 800 will operate without additional local emissions and is characterized by a quieter noise profile. Under ideal operating conditions, over 2,000 tons of bulk capacity can be achieved. A boom length of 64 meters and a hook height of 30.8 meters ensure that the crane can optimally load the cargo between the quay and the warehouse. Further technical innovations help meet the current and future demands of the terminal. The crane’s electric drive, ergonomic cabin, and additional digital features such as the touch panel pave the way for future assistance and partial automation systems. These advantages make the operation of the crane more efficient, saving the operator time and money.

The LHM 800 will be used for handling dry bulk goods such as agricultural bulk, biomass, fertilizers, and mineral bulk materials. The crane will increase the throughput and efficiency of the terminal, which is expected to reach 10 million tons per year by 2025.

Growing Demand for Logistical Capacity

Growth in green infrastructure also requires growth in logistics capacities. Marcor primarily operates in the unloading, loading, storage, and handling of dry bulk goods, including agricultural bulk, biomass, concentrates, ores, industrial minerals, jumbo bags, and other goods. Ship-to-ship traffic is also part of the company’s services. The size and growth of the market are significant both regionally and globally.

In 2023, the handling of dry bulk goods at the Port of Rotterdam reached approximately 64 million tons. In 2022, the EU consumed nearly 14.83 tons of raw materials per capita, including biomass, metal ores, non-metallic minerals, and fossil fuels. According to a World Bank report, the European mineral raw materials industry has seen a significant increase in the production of minerals needed for building clean energy technologies. A variety of minerals and metals for implementing renewable energy strategies and the associated infrastructure are part of this growth. This includes copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and more.

Competitive Advantage in the Bulk Market

The LHM 800 is part of this growth strategy. The floating terminal in Rotterdam is supported by the expansion of the bulk terminal at the Hartel Terminal. This expansion required the renovation and construction of new and state-of-the-art storage facilities. Sustainable and efficient storage and stowage operations are being gradually introduced at this location.

“With the LHM 800, we have gained a competitive advantage in the bulk market,” comments Danny Swart, Director of Marcor Stevedoring. “It is a versatile and powerful machine that can handle any type of cargo, from ore to grain and fertilizers. Additionally, it reduces our fuel consumption and emissions, aligning with our sustainability goals.”

Smart Handling of Bulk Goods

One of the assistance systems that supports optimal bulk operations is the SmartGrip technology developed by Liebherr itself. The system optimizes the grab entry angle and adapts to the bulk material being used without the need to change the grab. Furthermore, SmartGrip fills the grab based on an optimal load diagram, reducing overloads and their impact on the crane’s structure. Ultimately, these features help save time and the energy required for operation.

Photo: © Liebherr MCCtec