Marcor Stevedoring closes contract on new LHM 800

(Posted on 07/03/23)

Marcor Stevedoring has signed a contract adding Liebherr’s largest and most powerful mobile harbour crane to its dry bulk terminal in Rotterdam. The LHM 800 offers commanding and flexible performance, complemented by an electric drive and Liebherr assistance systems that will allow it to operate with a more environmentally friendly footprint. Additional digital interfaces and data connection features also make it overall more efficient and smarter.

On February 21, representatives from Marcor, C. Steinweg Group, and Liebherr met in Rotterdam for a contract signing ceremony. The new LHM 800 purchased by Marcor Stevedoring will play a key role in contributing to more economical and environmentally friendly operations at its forthcoming dry bulk terminal. The bulk cargo capacity of this giant is also unique at up to 2,300 tonnes per hour. Technical innovations in Liebherr’s latest-generation mobile harbour crane – including its electric drive unit, updated cabin, and more digital infrastructure – help ensure that current and future demands by the terminal can be effectively met. For example, it’s equipped for digitalised operating management and the integration of future assistance and partial automation systems. These benefits contribute to a more streamlined operation of the crane, saving time and costs for the operator.

Founded in 1997, Marcor is a professional dry bulk terminal operator that has so far had the unique characteristic of not having a shore facility at its disposal. Floating grab cranes and weighing towers have facilitated fast and efficient transfer of commodities to date. An expansion at the Steinweg Hartel Terminal, foreseen to commence operations through 2023, will encompass redevelopment and construction of state-of-the-art storage facilities onshore, with further plans to phase in sustainable and efficient storage and stevedoring operations at the site. C. Steinweg – parent company of Marcor Stevedoring – was also in attendance at the signing ceremony.

“Our acquisition of a Liebherr LHM 800 for the Steinweg Hartel Terminal is an important step for us in ensuring that our bulk operations and services maintain strong growth,” states Ulf Boll, CEO at C. Steinweg Group, “we commenced the development of a new 160,000 cubic meter quay-bound bulk warehouse, and these are directly reachable through a single manipulation crane grab. Size, performance, and mobility were therefore important factors in our investment decision. The crane’s electric motor and Liebherr’s service offering rounded off this package. The fact that it’s fully electric isalso aligned with our ESG strategy and our path to a carbon neutral operation. We’re excited to see the LHM 800 in action at our terminal and look forward to a productive future with Liebherr as a partner.”

The expanded terminal will feature 130,000 m of space, a 600-metre quay with 16-metre draft alongside, and vessel handling options from barges up to 120,000 DWT baby-cape vessels, both for board-to-board transshipment and discharge to/from the terminal. Its development also supports a more sustainable operating model, including electrified shore cranes and conveying equipment, with 11,000 m of solar panels being installed already.

“We’re pleased to support Marcor Stevedoring’s Rotterdam terminal with our newest LHM 800,” notes Andreas Ritschel, Deputy Sales Director for Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes, “among its innovations is the ability to interface with more components, making it possible to provide handling performance through electric power and offer smarter fleet management and maintenance overall. This will help save resources over time. Our network of skilled service technicians will also contribute to the machine’s long and productive life here in Rotterdam.”

The terminal is perfectly suited for the LHM 800, which can utilize an electrified infrastructure and empowers Marcor to handle larger quantities of bulk materials with a farther reach and reduced environmental costs. The two E-drive motors are installed internally within the crane’s engine room and are therefore protected from the elements, another benefit for the major bulk operations ahead.