Liebherr Maritime Cranes, Germany, has dispatched four mobile harbour cranes to Italy. Delivering performance for Italy’s diverse port landscape – two electrically driven LHM 550 cranes head to IPM Bari, Italy, while La Nuova Meccanica Navale adds an LHM 420 to the fleet and an electric LHM 420 will be heading to Interporto Rivers Venezia. The deliveries will support the local ship repair sector, high‑volume grain discharge in Bari, and bulk and scrap operations in Porto Marghera.
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By combining electric drive technology with high lifting capacities, advanced operator cabins and agile undercarriage systems, Liebherr equips Italian terminals for faster cycles, quieter operation and locally emission‑free lifting where shore power is available.
The shipment includes two LHM 550 for Bari’s bulk terminal, each rated at 154 tonnes with a 54‑meter outreach and equipped with e‑drive for locally emission‑free operation when connected to shore power.
La Nuova Meccanica Navale in Naples will receive an LHM 420 to replace an older LHM 1300. This crane, with a 124‑tonne lifting capacity and 48‑metre outreach, is built for heavy-duty shipyard operations, from removing large hatch covers to handling oversized components and tools with precision and speed. The company selected the LHM 420 for its reliability and manoeuvrability in confined quay spaces.
Interporto Rivers Venezia will also receive an LHM 420, configured with electric drive to support bulk and scrap operations at its multipurpose terminal. This addition complements the terminal’s existing fleet of four Liebherr mobile harbour cranes – an LHM 250, two LHM 320s and an LHM 550 – reinforcing its strategy to modernise handling capacity while reducing local emissions.
Expanding capabilities across Italian ports
Bari’s grain gateway relies on dependable high‑rate discharge to feed regional milling and pasta production for Divella Pasta, so the terminal’s focus on efficiency is supported by the LHM 550’s performance. Both cranes also feature the latest operator cabin, designed to reduce fatigue and improve situational awareness during long shifts, while LED floodlighting ensures clear visibility for safe, efficient handling even in low-light conditions. IPM Bari already operates two LHM 550s and is expanding capacity to meet growing throughput demands.
In Naples, a ship repair yard with two production sites and a 230‑metre floating dock will deploy the LHM 420 for critical lifting operations, including hatch cover removal and the transfer of heavy machinery, where its reach, lifting power and precise positioning deliver clear advantages in confined quay spaces. The decision to replace an ageing LHM 1300 with a new-generation LHM 420 reflects the customer’s confidence in Liebherr’s long-term reliability and advanced operator comfort features, ensuring that critical lifting tasks can be executed with accuracy and minimal downtime.
At Porto Marghera, the multi-purpose platform is investing to modernise handling, storage and energy use; the electrically powered LHM 420 complements this direction by enabling locally emission‑free lifts during bulk and scrap operations. The choice of Liebherr was driven by the crane’s adaptability for multiple cargo types and its ability to integrate seamlessly into a terminal strategy focused on sustainability and operational flexibility, reinforcing the operator’s ambition to become a benchmark for efficient, low-impact logistics in Northern Italy.
‘Italian ports present a unique mix of requirements, from precision lifting in shipyards to high-volume bulk discharge,’ said Andreas Ritschel, General Manager Sales Mobile Harbour Cranes at Liebherr-Rostock GmbH. ‘By pairing electric drive options with proven reliability, we are delivering performance that meets operational targets and reduces local emissions where shore power is in place.’
Engineering focus, electric performance and local partnership
Liebherr’s commitment to long‑term reliability in Italy is reinforced by its collaboration with Mac Port, the company’s exclusive sales and service partner since 2009. Mac Port operates a nationwide network for spare parts, training and field service, ensuring rapid response and predictable availability. Its certified processes and decades of experience in port mechanisation make it a cornerstone of Liebherr’s customer support strategy in the region.
A forward‑looking approach highlights these deliveries: electric drives and advanced crane systems are enabling Italian operators to balance throughput targets with quieter, cleaner quays. Beyond this delivery, existing diesel-powered cranes can be retrofitted with electric drives thanks to retrofit kits provided by Liebherr, ensuring operation through electrical power for cranes already in service. As the country’s ports invest in infrastructure and digital tools, the cranes shipped from Rostock will serve as adaptable assets – equally at home discharging grain, manoeuvring heavy yard components, or switching between bulk, scrap and containers – supporting the next phase of efficient, reliable maritime logistics.
