The £5.4-million electric portal slewing crane, manufactured by Liebherr in Rostock, joined two identical models introduced in 2023 to increase dry bulk and project cargo handling capacity at Teesport's Tees Dock bulks quay.

"PD's objective is straightforward: keep bulk ships on schedule while maintaining berth flexibility during peaks. The LPS 550's long outreach [jib length of 54 metres] reduces repositioning across wider hatches, while its 144-tonne capacity supports heavier lifts across mixed cargo operations. The addition of the third LPS 550 further enhances PD Ports' capabilities and opens up new business opportunities," Liebherr Maritime Cranes underscored in a press brief.

Grant Honzik, Business Unit Director - Bulks at PD Ports, commented, "This latest investment is about building resilience and capacity into our bulk operations at Teesport for the long term."

He furthered, "The performance and reliability of the existing Liebherr cranes have been proven day in, day out, and adding a third LPS 550 gives us greater flexibility on the berth and more headroom during peak demand. For our customers, that means consistent performance, quicker turnarounds, and confidence that Teesport can keep cargo moving efficiently. It is another practical step in our continued investment programme to make sure the port remains a dependable, high-capacity gateway for bulk and mixed cargo flows."

Honzik also highlighted, "Combined with the crane's increased lift capacity and tandem lift capability, this investment gives us the flexibility to support everything from high-volume bulk commodities through to complex project cargo, including large-scale infrastructure developments across the region."