New MHC for Hull

News 8 Dec 2023 by WCN Editorial

Associated British Ports (ABP) has invested £4.2M in a new Liebherr Pactronic LHM 420 mobile harbour crane for the Port of Hull

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The new crane was shipped on MeriAura’s MERI to King George V Dock where it was discharged by operations teams from ABP and Liebherr.

One point of interest is that the multi-purpose crane was not shipped from the crane works in Rostock, where MHCs are usually built, but from the Liebherr’s factory at the Port of Sunderland. It will be used by Thor Shipping and Transport for general cargo lifts within their stevedoring operation at the port.

ABP is delivering an investment plan that is working to ensure high levels of safety, across its ports alongside improved efficiency and reduced emissions. The Liebherr LHM 420 Pactronic has a range of features to ensure the comfort of the operator, with its hydrostatic drive enabling precise control of the crane.

The major feature of the Pactronic hybrid drive is an additional energy storage device, or accumulator, which is charged when the load is lowered and also if there is a surplus of power from the conventional drive unit. This enables a power boost when required, despite the primary power delivery remaining unchanged, helping to conserve fuel.

Earlier this year ABP launched its sustainability strategy Ready for Tomorrow. Backed by an investment of £2B, the strategy outlines how ABP will be decarbonising its own operations by 2040 at the latest and supporting major infrastructure projects to enable the wider UK energy transition.