Electric drive on the rise
(Posted on 04/11/25)
Liebherr, the global leader in mobile harbour crane technology, continues to drive innovation in sustainable port operations. With over 2,000 mobile harbour cranes produced and around 1,600 currently in operation across more than 130 countries, Liebherr has played key role in advancing electric drive technologies in port handling – continuously refining and expanding its solutions over several decades.
Key regions have embraced electrically driven mobile harbour cranes, underscoring their growing importance and reinforcing Liebherr’s role as a reliable partner in the industry. India leads in adoption, followed closely by Türkiye. In Europe, the Netherlands, France and Poland also demonstrate steady demand for e-drive technology, alongside the United States and the United Kingdom.
Between 2019 and 2025, Liebherr recorded a significant increase of 400 % in its electric drive mobile harbour cranes. This substantial increase underlines the clear movement within the industry towards integrating more sustainable technologies in port operations.
‘Our clients have benefitted from the integration of electric drives into our product range for over two decades’, said Franz Findel, product manager at Liebherr-Rostock GmbH. ‘Beyond the considerable reduction in CO? emissions and noise levels, e-drives require minimal consumables and feature fewer moving parts – significantly reducing maintenance demands and associated costs. These advantages contribute directly to improved overall efficiency and operational reliability, without sacrificing speed or lifting capacity.’
The Liebherr drive system portfolio continues to evolve with the different infrastructural and regulatory conditions across global port environments. This means that the electric drive is not just an option when building a new crane but can also be retrofitted. Cranes that have operated reliably for years can be converted from a diesel to e-drive, supported by Liebherr’s worldwide customer service network.
In this way, port operators are not only responding to changing circumstances, such as state funding programmes or infrastructure expansion in ports, but are also modernising their equipment to ensure continued successful operation for many years to come – always with a focus on efficiency.
During heavy lift operations, cranes often experience idle periods when no load is being moved. In these moments, opting for an e-powered drive offers a significantly more sustainable solution. While a diesel engine continues to emit approximately 24 kg of CO? per hour even when idling, the e-drive consumes no extra energy during these pauses. When powered by renewable energy sources, the environmental benefits are even greater – handling operations at the quayside with an electric Liebherr mobile harbour
crane can reduce CO? emissions by up to 100 kg per hour compared with a diesel driven mobile harbour crane.
Beyond environmental advantages, the e-drive also delivers economic and operational benefits. Many countries offer attractive subsidies for the adoption of alternative energy technologies, supporting industries in meeting national CO? reduction targets. Additionally, electric drives require less maintenance than their diesel counterparts – eliminating the need for oil changes, fluid checks and filter replacements.
Latest News
BAR Technologies appoints Panmarine to support Greece and Cyprus growth
(Posted on 29/05/26)BAR Technologies has appointed Panmarine & Industrial Services Ltd. as its commercial consultant... Read more
ClassNK releases Guidelines for 3D Model-Based Approval
(Posted on 29/05/26)ClassNK has released the “Guidelines for 3D Model-Based Approval (3DMBA)”, which summarizes... Read more
IRS awards Type Approval Certification to GRSE for Marine Hull and Line Valves
(Posted on 29/05/26)Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is pleased to announce the handover of Type Approval Certificate to... Read more
Superior’s Patriot Cone Crushers gain more horsepower options
(Posted on 29/05/26)Superior Industries, Inc., a US-based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing and... Read more
Partnership creates secure digital backbone for maritime cyber security
(Posted on 25/05/26)A strategic partnership signed between Cydome and Rakuten Maritime aims to provide shipping companies... Read more
Liebherr opens Digital Solutions Campus in Hamburg during TOC Europe
(Posted on 25/05/26)At TOC Europe, Liebherr presented a comprehensive maritime portfolio combining digital tools and its... Read more
ESL Shipping and QMill explore quantum computing for complex shipping decisions
(Posted on 22/05/26)Leading carrier of dry bulk cargoes in the Baltic region, ESL Shipping, has launched a multi-year research... Read more
Third electric LPS 550 strengthens PD Ports bulk handling capability
(Posted on 14/05/26)An LPS 550 fitted with an electric drive has been delivered to Middlesbrough from Liebherr’s Baltic... Read more
‘Smart ships’ failing to turn data into real intelligence, warns SmartSea
(Posted on 13/05/26)The maritime industry’s push towards “smart shipping” is falling short, with many... Read more
Steelpaint completes trial coating on Mur shipping bulker
(Posted on 11/05/26)Steelpaint GmbH, the German manufacturer of high-performance single-component moisture cure polyurethane... Read more
