The Port of Tilbury has expanded its fleet with its third LHM 550 mobile harbour crane from Liebherr Great Britain.

The multifunctional crane has been acquired to support the growing operations of London’s major Port, including Aggregate Industries’ new cement grinding manufacturing facility and import terminal.

The crane arrived on the MV Meri

The crane arrived on 18th January via the Baltic Sea fully assembled on the MV Meri heavy load vessel from Liebherr-MCCtec Rostock, Germany. With an outreach of 54 metres and 144-tonne configured lifting capacity, the LHM 550 is engineered for high-volume cargo throughput. The unloading of the crane was assisted by an LH 150 Port Litronic material handler which has been in operation at Tilbury since 2023.

Investing in greener technology

Commenting on the arrival of the new mobile harbour crane, Paul Dale, Chief Operating Officer of Forth Ports said: “We have set out ambitious net zero targets across our business and are investing in greener technology to ensure that our operations are sustainable. The Liebherr LHM 550 joins our busy fleet in Tilbury and they will all support our growing bulks and heavy lift work across our port estate. We have a long-term relationship with Liebherr across the group and we are aligned in our commitment to greener operations.”

With additional technology

The LHM 550 crane has been specified with additional technology, including an over-pressure system to best aid future projects, including Aggregate Industries’ facility on the Port. Once it’s operational in 2026, the crane will handle granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) a low carbon alternative to conventional cement, unloading it from the vessel into the hopper of the plant.

The aggressive nature of GBFS

Due to the aggressive nature of GBFS, an over-pressure system has been fitted to force ventilate the slewing platform of the crane to prevent product ingress into the machine rooms. Furthermore, corrosion control of the mobile harbour crane is largely protected by the paint finish. Liebherr applies the same paint finish on the LHM crane range as it does for its offshore and ship cranes, ensuring that the quality exceeds most port standards.

Aggregate Industries’

Aggregate Industries’ new facility will allow the company to serve its customers 24/7 with conventional, low carbon and circular cementitious materials from five loading heads. In alignment with Forth Port’s objective to achieve net-zero emissions, the mobile harbour crane incorporates several of Liebherr’s green technologies.

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel

Firstly, the LieGEN energy recovery system captures and reuses energy, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing fuel consumption. The latest engine technology is fitted to comply with the most stringent emissions standards, setting new benchmarks for environmentally friendly port equipment. The crane can operate on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel, supporting the Port’s initiative to operate the crane on HVO from the delivery date, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

Enhancing the ecological footprint

Finally, the crane’s electric-ready design allows for connection to an electrical power supply, facilitating the transition to zero emission operations in the future. These innovations underscore a commitment to sustainability and demonstrate a proactive approach to enhancing the ecological footprint of the Port’s operations.

Continue supporting the Port of Tilbury

Liebherr Great Britain’s Port Equipment and Maritime Cranes Sales Manager, Robert Alexander, comments: “Liebherr Great Britain is proud to continue supporting the Port of Tilbury, as it invests in cutting-edge equipment to enhance its operations. The addition of an LHM 550 Mobile Harbour Crane marks another milestone in our strong partnership.

This state-of-the-art crane joins two existing LHM 550s at Tilbury and a third at the Port of Rosyth, underscoring Forth Ports’ commitment to operational excellence.

About : The Port of Tilbury 

The Port of Tilbury (London) is the largest of 8 ports owned by Forth Ports.

As London’s major port it is also the largest multi-modal port in the South East, and 3rd largest port group in the UK. Sitting on the north bank of the Thames just 22 nautical miles east of central London, it is perfectly placed to handle cargo for London and the rest of the South East, with easy access to the M25 and 18 million people within 75 miles.

 An annual throughput per annum

The port has an annual throughput of 16 million tonnes per annum and this is estimated to value around £8.7 billion; this makes it the largest port on the Thames. The varied cargoes are spread across an estate in excess of 1,000 acres and are imported and exported by a variety of short and deep sea vessels. Offering operational support for different cargoes, the port can support ro-ro, container, forest products, grain and bulks as well as cruises and property solutions.

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Source : Press - Release