The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

Liebherr LHM 550 adds to bulk handling capacity in Arendal

(Posted on 09/11/22)

Located in the southern part of Norway between Larvik and Kristiansand, the Port of Arendal is the biggest bulk port in Norway that uses mobile harbour cranes. The new LHM 550 joining the port is equipped for a variety of cargo applications. Its features include SmartGrip to optimise bulk operation for a future battery factory in the region.

The main commercial terminal for the port is located at Eydehavn, just outside the city of Arendal. Eydehavn is a subsea harbour that offers cranes and handling equipment for bulk loads, project cargo, offshore equipment, and containers. With a lifting capacity up to 144 tonnes, this LHM 550 provides improved logistical capacity so the port can support larger project and specialised cargo, and optimised bulk operations. Another distinguishing benefit sought by the Port of Arendal is Liebherr’s extensive and high standard of service. Besides remote technical support and local field service, a large selection of original parts will help keep the LHM 550 running over many years.

The four-rope version of the LHM 550 that was delivered to the client in Arendal will provide flexible applications for cargo and material lifting. In this configuration, synchronisation of the winches is monitored and optimised by the four-rope grab control. For increased efficiency in handling bulk cargo, a suitable grab that is coupled with Liebherr’s SmartGrip technology was part of the crane’s delivery. This feature can optimise the filling rate of the grab in a self-learning manner. In this way, SmartGrip learns after just a few lifting cycles how to optimise capacity utilisation of the grab. This reduces overloads to a minimum, increases the material handling rate and, at the same time, alleviates crane operator stress. Bulk material such as salt and sulphur will be among the main resources that will be handled by the LHM 550. A forthcoming project in the area that will benefit from the crane’s optimisations is a new battery factory by Morrow Batteries.

Rune Hvass, Port Director at Arendal Havn, notes: “After deliberations about which LHM model fits our logistical needs the best, we ultimately decided on the LHM 550. An increasing number of customers are demanding capacity for larger and heavier project and general cargo. To also provide better support for a new battery factory that will be built locally, the choice for a larger mobile harbour crane made most sense.” Rune Hvass continues: “The high-quality level at which Liebherr is building its cranes, and especially the service concept Liebherr provides, were some of the main reasons why we decided to purchase a Liebherr mobile harbour crane.”

To help reduce noise, the crane is equipped with noise insulation material in the winch and machinery compartment. The crane is also outfitted with an electric drive to give the crane and the port a greener profile. Furthermore, the full LiDAT smartApp package was chosen for the LHM 550. Maintenance and Optimise are also installed on the crane to help monitor a variety of variables for better performance tracking and efficiency of the crane.