These two cranes are the first machines in bulk handling configuration ever delivered by Liebherr. Saqr Port Authority is about to establish new berths in order to further strengthen their position in the in the Middle East bulk market.

Saqr Port Authority recently signed a contract for two new units LHM 800 in bulk handling configuration. These two machines will be the biggest mobile harbour cranes for bulk operation in the Middle East.

Saqr Port is located at the foot of the Hajar Mountains in the north of the United Arab Emirates. The port is mainly handling limestones and aggregates, which serves the majority of the construction projects within the Middle East and is central to its economic success.

Liebherr sold the first mobile harbour crane to Saqr Port more than 25 years ago. The partnership between both companies has grown successfully since then. Saqr Port operates eight Liebherr mobile harbour cranes of various types. Now they have opted for the biggest type available in Liebherrs extensive MHC product range – the LHM 800. 

Biggest bulk MHC equipped with efficient technology 

The LHM 800 in bulk handling configuration comes with a 54 metres boom and a maximum lifting capacity of up to 144 tonnes. The powerful hydrostatic transmission and advanced Liebherr electronics ensure short, productive working cycles during bulk handling. Both machines for Saqr Port are equipped with Liebherr’s unique Pactronic® 2 / 3 system. This hydraulic hybrid drive system achieves increased handling performance with reduced fuel consumption. By adding an accumulator as a secondary energy source instead of a bigger or additional prime mover, Pactronic® regenerates the reverse power while lowering the load. The stored energy is transferred back to the system when the crane requires peak power during hoisting. In terms of turnover capacity, that means an increase of up to 30% compared to a conventional machine with an equal power rating of the primary energy source. With Pactronic® the LHM 800 is able to achieve a turnover of up to 2300 tonnes per hour. 

Strong commitment for the future

Saqr Port made a number of forward-looking investments in the past. Besides the more than ten Liebherr mobile harbour cranes they have also built up a Liebherr crane operator training centre to further increase the productivity of their staff. The forwardlooking combination of advanced simulator-based training and high-speed machines has significantly improve their production figures.

Saqr Port committed itself to a strategy of continually investing in the quality and modernization of their port facilities. This includes the creation of additional deep-water berths, capable of efficiently handling Capesize vessels. The two new bulk giants LHM 800 will operate at these new berths and consequently reinforce Saqr Ports topposition in the Middle East bulk market even more. Both cranes will start operation spring 2018. 

Liebherr - The right choice 

Both cranes will be delivered fully assembled directly from Liebherrs maritime headquarter in Rostock/Germany to Saqr Port at the beginning of 2018. The Saqr Port representatives are already looking forward to welcoming the two new units at their new berth. “These new mobile harbour cranes will helps us to improve our bulk handling efficiency even more. Thanks to its high lifting capacities at a wide outreach, we are able to expand our service portfolio up to Capesize class vessels. This is very important for the future development of our port. We have been operating Liebherr mobile harbour cranes for many years and are very satisfied with the overall 3 / 3 performance and the reliability of the machines,” says Capt. Cliff Brand - Group General Manager RAK Ports. 

ViraMaritime.com