In 1976, just two years after entering the mobile harbour crane business, Liebherr supplied their first two LHMs to Africa. Dedicated to container handling, both mobile harbour cranes were destined for Libya. In the next two decades business was poor due to serious stability issues, quests for independence as well as low economic development in various African countries.

However, two deliveries to ports in South Africa and Namibia mark the significant turnaround in 1996. These machines represent the first LHMs suitable for bulk handling in Africa. From that point on business has been back on track. In 2001, a first remarkable peak was achieved with seven LHM deliveries to customers in Namibia and Nigeria.

The on-going economic development in several African countries has favoured an increased demand for highly competitive and top quality products, which provide maximum flexibility. Liebherr’s innovative cargo handling solutions perfectly meet these requirements. Consequently, mobile harbour crane deliveries to Africa virtually exploded in recent years. Since 2007, even more than 70 Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes have started operation in Africa. Impressive is not only the number, but also the diversity of sales regarding models and applications which covers container and bulk handling as well as general cargo operation. Despite a noticeable global trend towards bulk handling, most of the African ports still prefer container handling configuration.

In 2007, the Tunisian stevedoring and handling company STAM ordered their first LHMs and thereby became part of this success story. Due to the very positive experience with these three machines the company has invested in four additional LHMs in the past two years. “Currently, we have seven LHMs in operation in three Tunisian ports. Five LHMs are totally dedicated to container handling, the other two operate general cargo, dry bulk and containers. These cranes offer utmost performance, are robust and impress by state-of-the-art technology”, states Mr Sami Battikh, STAM’s Purchasing Director.

When it comes to geographical distribution, Nigeria accounts for almost one quarter of all Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes in Africa with a total of 24. Algeria follows closely with 21 LHMs in operation. Moreover, Algeria plus its neighbour countries Libya and Tunisia represent Africa’s most populated region with altogether 43 machines. However, recent development shows that the southern and western regions of the continent are catching-up, mainly driven by Nigeria and South Africa respectively. 

Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited is a subsidiary of the SIFAX group, which is operating in Maritime, Aviation and Oil & Gas industries in Africa’s leading LHM market Nigeria. Ports and Cargo operates terminal “C” of the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. In 2008 the company acquired four Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes type LHM 400, equipped with Cycoptronic® including Teach-In feature for faster and safer cargo handling. “LHM’s high safety standards and ultra-modern design simplifies operation of such a heavy-duty machine. Its unique flexibility makes it easy to work with two cranes at very close hatches at the same time”, Captain Luc Deruyver, Group Managing Director, confirms.

Another Nigerian company trusting in Liebherr products is Inter-Bau Construction Limited. The well-known construction company ordered two Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes type LHM 180 for the Onitsha River Port project in 2010. The cranes handle a wide variety of break bulk cargoes and the occasional container, an area where growth is expected. Additionally the machines can also be adapted for bulk handling if needed. “Due to superior technology advantage, reasonable pricing and excellent after sales support, Liebherr was the preferred vendor. Their high degree of professionalism impressed throughout the buying process”, says Sir Nath Okechukwu, owner and chairman of the group.

At the end of November, Grandweld Shipyards in the United Arab Emirates ordered MacGregor bulk handling systems for two anchor-handling tug/supply (AHTS) vessels, hull Nos 389 and 390. They will handle cement, barite and bentonite for their owner Halul Offshore Services Company, in Doha, Qatar. Equipment for both vessels is scheduled for delivery at the end of June 2012.

In December Cargotec received an order for MacGregor bulk handling systems to be installed on two PSVs (hull Nos 446 and 447) under construction at Astilleros Balenciaga S.A. in Spain, for North Star Shipping in Scotland, UK. The vessels will operate in the North Sea and will handle cement, barite and bentonite. The equipment is scheduled for delivery in June and November, 2012.

“For the owners, it was important that the vessels were fitted with simple and well proven bulk handling technology, with a solid track record,” says Pankaj Thakker, Cargotec Sales Manager, Marine Selfunloaders. “Each installation will feature dust-free operation and low power consumption, making these some of the most environmentally-friendly systems available today.”

EUROGATE is Europe’s leading shipping line-independent container terminal and logistics group. Jointly, with Contship Italia, EUROGATE operates sea terminals in the Baltic and North Sea, in the Mediterranean region as well as in the Atlantic. The company has ten terminals and it handled 12.6 million TEUs in 2010. EUROGATE offers a full range of box-related services, from cargo-modal services, to container-dept services, container servicing and repair. In addition, EUROGATE offers intermodal transport.

“This fourth order from EUROGATE on one hand proves that our straddle carriers are reliable and technically advanced products and on the other hand that our outstanding service support is appreciated by our customers,” says Jens Andreas, General Manager, Straddle Carriers “The 55 units we have delivered form an important part of EUROGATE’s fleet of straddle carriers.”

The straddle carriers ordered represent the latest technology on the market. The machines have a lifting capacity of 50 tons and can stack containers 1 over 2 high. They will be used for moving and stacking containers in the container yard.

“2012 begins the port’s second century – we’re online, open to the public, and open for business. We are on a path to creating a sustainable public port in the heart of our urban communities,” said Tarleton.

“As the local and global economies recover from a prolonged recession, this port will be an economic engine – and an engine of equal opportunity – for King County’s nearly 2 million residents.”

Commissioner Tom Albro will serve as secretary.

Tarleton and Commissioner Bill Bryant were also sworn in for their second term in office. Commissioner Tarleton was sworn in by El Centro de la Raza Director Estela Ortega; former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton presided over Commissioner Bryant’s oath of office.

Commissioners also passed a motion recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Day, which will be recognized nationally on January 11.  As many as 17,500 people, many women and children, are trafficked into the United States each year.  The port is joining King County and the City of Seattle in taking action to raise awareness of the crime and to take steps to eradicate it from our communities.

Click here more information about how the Port of Seattle creates jobs and economic growth for King County.