The Danish seaport took delivery of a Liebherr LHM 550 that will primarily be used for handling project cargo such as offshore wind energy components but also dry bulk goods and containers.

The machinery offers the capacities: 144 tonnes (hook), 19/25 m3 (stone/grain Nemag grab), and 54 metres of outreach (Bromma EH170U container spreader). Aalborg's LHM 550's minimum/maximum radius lifting heights are 51/31 metres.

The machinery is set to start operating in mid-November. "Since the crane's arrival in Aalborg, two Liebherr employees have been managing the preparations, which have included dismantling transport equipment, installing wire rope, setting up crane parameters, and much more. In addition, the grab, hook block, container yoke, and fire extinguishing system were tested," the Port of Aalborg shared in a press brief.

Michael Hasselager, Office Manager, Planning & Operations, the Port of Aalborg, also highlighted, "With players like Siemens Gamesa and CS WIND Offshore in the East Harbour, we experience a great need for handling project cargo. The wind energy market is moving incredibly fast. As an infrastructure, we need to be able to handle some of the world's largest wind turbine blades, which are currently over 115 metres long and cannot be transported by road. We must support this development with efficient logistics and transport solutions regardless of cargo size."

"The increased crane capacity will improve the flow on the port's quay areas - including the container terminal, where cargo volumes are developing positively," reads the press release.

The Port of Aalborg's Director of Operations, Søren Bæk Christensen, underlined, "As a busy logistics hub and business park, our equipment is an important part of daily operations. It's therefore a big step in the right direction that we are now electrifying the majority of our equipment. In this way, we not only support the green transition but also help create it."

Photo: Port of Aalborg