grabs and cranes

GEARING UP FOR CHANGE

Coming up with innovations that support efficiency and eco-friendliness are key in ports and when installing new crane and grab systems

Demand for Liebherr mobile harbour cranes with an e-drive rose sharply in the 2021 sales year, the company says. Compared with 2019, the number of units equipped with an electric motor has doubled.

Liebherr has been successfully using a hybrid drive concept consisting of a diesel engine and an electric drive for the mobile harbour cranes product segment for more than 20 years. In addition to emission-free handling, the benefits of e-drive include cost savings and less maintenance.

Electrification is entering a new market phase and a significant shift in focus towards electrified cranes, the company says. All Liebherr mobile harbour cranes are equipped with the hydrostatic drive concept, based on a main drive that supplies power to pumps and a hydraulic transfer gearbox. The drive can be a diesel engine or an electric motor. All energyconsuming movements are connected to a closed hydraulic circuit and are fed by it when required.

Compared with 2019, the demand for LHM cranes with an e-drive has doubled. In the meantime, more than a third of all Liebherr mobile harbour crane orders have an e-drive installed

– and the number is on the increase. Retrofitting electric drives is also possible and is increasingly being used by mobile harbour crane customers.

Liebherr will be supplying Euroports Germany with an all-electric portal crane this year. All crane movements of this pioneering machine will be carried out by means of emission-free electric motors. With this sustainable investment, Euroports is increasing the handling capacity of its bulk terminal at Rostock’s overseas port.

THE LPS 420 E IS EQUIPPED WITH DYNAMIC ELECTRIC MOTORS AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS.

Euroports Germany is the largest port-handling company in the Rostock overseas port and in the whole of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In recent years, Euroports Germany has invested in two Liebherr cranes for its general cargo terminal in Rostock’s overseas port. The two LHM 550 mobile harbour cranes are used for the handling of wind turbines and allow for increased container handling resulting from China’s New Silk Road initiative.

The equally increased volume of bulk goods prompted Euroports to put an LHM 280 into operation at short notice. In order to further increase the handling capacity and to create the necessary replacement for two harbour cranes, a further machine will soon strengthen the Euroports crane fleet. In the summer of 2022, Liebherr will deliver an all-electric LPS 420 E to its neighbour in Rostock’s overseas port.

“We want to further strengthen the handling performance at our bulk terminal” says Karsten Lentz managing director of the Euroports Germany Group. “In the coming year, we are not only investing in a new crane to be even more efficient, but we also want to make our contribution to sustainability. We have opted for a fully electric crane, the LPS 420 E. In future, the crane will be used to handle all types of goods at this terminal. In addition to building materials, this also includes ores, lime, gypsum, wood chips and many more.”

THE ALL-ELECTRIC LPS 420 E GANTRY CRANE

Liebherr Rostock has already sold numerous LPS 420 E all-electric portal cranes to its international customers. The unit for Euroports Germany is now the first in the European market.

The all-electric gantry crane is designed for ports and terminals with electric infrastructure. All crane movements such as luffing, lifting, slewing and travelling movements are carried out by means of emissionfree electric motors and are therefore not hydraulic.

With an outreach of up to 48m, ships up to post-panamax class can be served. The LPS 420 E has a maximum lifting capacity of up to 124 tonnes and has several decisive technical advantages.

The main components of the electric drive are liquid-cooled and the heat is dissipated via heat exchangers mounted outside the crane.

Externally mounted cooling units have the advantage, especially in bulk handling, that no air is brought into the interior of the crane. This keeps dust contamination down to a minimum.

With a Liebherr active front-end frequency converter, deviations in the power supply can be easily compensated in order to ensure safe and stable operation.

The machine is equipped with highperformance power accumulators to reduce the peak load in the crane’s main power supply and to use regenerative energy within the system.

In addition, the synchronous electric motors have a low moment of inertia and provide fast response for precise driving characteristics.

MOVEMENTS ARE CARRIED OUT BY EMISSION-FREE ELECTRIC MOTORS

All crane movements such as luffing, lifting, slewing and travelling movements are carried out by means of emission-free electric motors.

Duqm cranes boost

Liebherr has also won a contract to supply automated cranes to the Port of Duqm in Oman. The Port of Duqm development is a greenfield project and is part of the ambitious SEZAD project (Special Economic Zone of Authority at Duqm).

This new port has been designed to be a world-class, multi-purpose commercial gateway and is destined to become one of the largest ports in the region. It is being developed into an integrated, multimodal logistics hub and is well connected via road, rail and

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Rope-, Motor-, Hydraulic-Grabs

MRS GREIFER GmbH

Talweg 15-17 • 74921 Helmstadt • Germany Tel: +49 7263 912 90 • Fax: +49 7263 912 912 export@mrs-greifer.de • www.mrs-greifer.de

air. The deep-water port and new cranes will allow the port to handle the world’s largest container vessels as it expands its existing cargo and bulk services with container handling.

The new ship-to-shore cranes will have an outreach of 71m, a back reach of 18m and a lift height over rail of 50m. The cranes have a safe working load of 65 tonnes under twinlift spreader. Supplied without a cabin, the cranes will be operated utilising a combination of remote control and automation. Automation will take care of the majority of the cycle with operator intervention only required when operating below a predefined safe height. Each Liebherr STS will be connected to its own dedicated robot operation system (ROS).

The centrally located remote operation facility will also host the ROS for control of the automated rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes. The cabinless RTGs feature automation over the stack with remote control only required for container pick or place from the truck trailers, or for exception handling. Four ROS operators will operate the 12 RTGs.

Liebherr’s hybrid drive concept consisting of a diesel engine and an electric motor means the diesel engine is used exclusively for moving the crane along the quayside. As soon as the crane has reached the desired position, the machine is connected to the local power grid by cable. The actual handling of goods is possible without emissions.

If required during operation with an electric drive, the energy recovered from the lowering can be fed into the local power grid. In this way, the operational cost of electrically driven cargo handling can be reduced even further.

All Liebherr mobile harbour cranes are equipped with a hydrostatic drive concept. The principle is based on a main drive that supplies power to pumps and a hydraulic transfer gearbox. The main drive can be a diesel engine or an electric motor.

All energy-consuming movements are connected to a closed hydraulic circuit and are fed by it when required. Closed hydraulic loops are used for all main functions such as hoisting, slewing and luffing.

The benefits of the hydrostatic drive are extremely precise control, a minimum number and size of components and reduced fuel consumption thanks to the standard use of reverse power. Compared with other drive systems in the market, this innovative drive principle generally saves diesel or energy during crane operation and enables sustainable and efficient operation.

Konecranes developments

Konecranes has won a contract to supply 6 Waste-to-Energy (WtE) cranes to Singapore’s Tuas Nexus - IWMF.

Tuas Nexus - IWMF is Singapore’s first integrated facility to treat incinerable waste, source-segregated food waste and dewatered sludge from Tuas Water Reclamation Plant (Tuas WRP). It will also sort household recyclables collected under the National Recycling Programme. It is set to be completed in phases from 2025 onwards and Konecranes’ cranes will be delivered in February 2023.

The contract calls for Konecranes’ MHE-Demag unit to provide cranes with a full automation package to enhance operations and reduce manpower needs. The contract was awarded to Konecranes by a Keppel-led consortium appointed by the National Environment Agency to develop the WtE facility and Materials Recovery Facility as part of IWMF Phase 1 development.

Meanwhile, Terminal San Giorgio (TSG) has ordered an Konecranes Gottwald ESP.8 Mobile Harbour Crane for its terminal in Genoa, Italy. Booked in November 2021, it is the very first Generation 6 crane to go to Italy and will be delivered in June this year.

Established in 2006, TSG has become the largest multi-purpose terminal in Genoa, the busiest port in Italy. It is equipped to handle all kinds of freight including containers, breakbulk, project cargo, yachts, steel, and ro-ro. Part of the Autosped/Gavio Group, a leading Italian logistics company, the terminal includes a number of intermodal rail and road connections to destinations around the country.

Innovative digital features and a fueloptimised diesel generator set bring the crane in line with EU Stage V emission standards and Italy’s National Industry 4.0 Plan, a state strategy that encourages industrial innovation. The crane also has built-in readiness for an external power supply, so conversion to electric operation will be easy when resources allow.

An additional service agreement will ensure that the cranes stay in good condition and provide TSG with maximum uptime.

The Generation 6 crane on order is a Konecranes Gottwald ESP.8 Mobile Harbor Crane, with a working radius of 54m and a capacity of 150 tonnes. A natural successor to the two Generation 5 cranes already on-site, it features stronger lifting capacity curves for improved performance and a higher classification for container handling, which doubles its service life in container handling operations.

Guven grabs to the rescue

A bulk carrier held in Singapore contracted Alatas Singapore for the commissioning of four Guven Grabs. This bulk carrier urgently needed to replace the old and wasted motor grabs on board.

As the region’s official Guven Grab Service station, Alatas Singapore supplied four brand new grabs.

The Singapore station arranged the transport and supply on board and dispatched a Guven Grab engineer to carry out the grab commissioning.

Schuch modernisation

Crane and heavy haulage contractor Schuch is modernising and expanding its mobile crane fleet. With this in mind, the company, which has several outlets in the Rhine-Main and Rhine-Neckar conurbations, has ordered 15 new mobile cranes from Liebherr with lifting capacities between 90 and 750 tonnes.

The company is readying itself to face current and future challenges on the market by means of continuous new and replacement purchases, as well as innovative crane technology. Schuch has already taken delivery of the first of these cranes with the delivery of the last ones being scheduled for the end of 2023.

PORT AND TERMINAL OPERATIONS FOR BULK CARGOES – Short Course

14-17 March 2022

Subjects covered include:

» Ship unloading technologies » Conveying technologies » Storage and discharge technologies » Loading and unloading control » Rail and road out loading equipment and control » Explosion and fire risks and management » Mobile plant and safety » Developments in automation and autonomous vehicles » Dust control and environmental protection » Controlling cargo damage » Wear protection and maintenance » Cargo characterisation for handleability and other issues

For anyone concerned about or responsible for the safe handling For anyone concerned about or on-line delivery - call to arrange an in-company course and storage of bulk materials in responsible for the safe handling ports and on the sea and storage of bulk materials in Course Leader: Mike Bradley, ports and on the sea Professor of Bulk and Particulate Course Leader: Mike Bradley, Technologies and Director of Professor of Bulk and Particulate The Wolfson Centre, University of Technologies and GreenwichDirector of The Wolfson Centre, University of Greenwich

NEMAG: WHY THE NEMAX SIMPLY SELLS ITSELF

COMPANY NEWS

Headquartered in Convent, Louisiana, Associated Terminals (AT) is the leading stevedore and terminal operator on the Lower Mississippi River and beyond. It operates 14 midstream river anchorage facilities in the region as well as additional dockside and on-site facilities. “When we first visited AT in 2018, we presented them with a 3D-printed model of our innovative, award-winning nemaX dry bulk grab and they were immediately interested,” explains Rudy Bovée, account manager at Nemag. “They next decided to trial the grab in practice for a month as part of the nemaX world tour. Shortly thereafter, they placed an order. The nemaX simply sells itself!”

RUDY BOVÉE Of course, AT is not the only terminal to have adopted the nemaX; the dry bulk grab among other things offers versatility, cost-effectiveness, efficiency and ease of maintenance. However, Boveé and his team are particularly proud of the fact that the operator decided to opt for a Nemag product. “AT’s mission, core values and vision perfectly align with our Passion for Performance concept,” says Boveé.

“Like Nemag, it values customer relations highly and is always looking for ways to innovate and improve operations. After years of development and co-operation between engineers, customers and users, it is really great that the nemaX exceeds everyone’s expectations. To

Even if the nemaX had the same productivity as the clamshell, we would still opt for the nemaX

Zeljko S. Franks II, Senior Vice President of Associated Terminals

NEMAX GRAB AT WORK AT THE ASSOCIATED TERMINALS ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER

have a customer actually confirm this is a great source of pride for us at Nemag – especially such a unique customer as AT, with its strong emphasis on midstream transloading activities and the use of floating cranes.”

High productivity

Shortly after commissioning the nemaX in 2019, AT was already achieving the promised productivity increase of 13% – and sometimes more. It has also experienced many of the other benefits of the grab. For example, the fact that the nemaX has far fewer moving parts substantially reduces the need for maintenance. Furthermore, it is able to handle 20% more cargo with the same closing cables, further boosting the cost-efficiency of the grab.

“Even if the nemaX had the same productivity as the clamshell, we would still opt for the nemaX, purely based on the operational advantages it offers,” says Zeljko S Franks II, AT senior vice president of Associated Terminals.

CAPEX and OPEX

When assessing the financial aspects of a grab, two elements are key: the asset investment costs (CAPEX) and the operating expenditure (OPEX). Bulk terminals with clear insight into maintenance costs have concluded that the total maintenance costs of a grab constitute a more significant factor than its asset investment costs. Calculated over the grab’s lifespan, the average asset investment costs of a four-rope grab amount to around 1 eurocent per tonne of cargo transferred. In terms of grab maintenance costs, this can however be as much as 2-3 eurocents per tonne of cargo handled.

Minimum downtime

“The nemaX will immediately bring down costs, but other advantages such as maintenance do not become apparent until after a couple of years,” explains Boveé. “Especially when transloading on the water, it is important that the cranes can continuously operate and that downtime is kept to a minimum.

“For customers such as AT, ease of maintenance is therefore crucial. Since operations take place from a floating pontoon on the Mississippi, any maintenance work will have to be performed right there. So, the less maintenance, the better.”

Long-term partnerships

Associated Terminals handles a highly diverse range of cargos, ranging from dry bulk such as grains, minerals and coal to windmills and project cargo. The nemaX is currently only used for Iron ore pellets. Close co-operation with AT and a continuous focus on improvement and innovation will, however, make it possible to deploy the grab for other types of bulk as well.

“We are proud that our grab helps AT to boast productivity and lower the costs,” explains Boveé. “Together with AT, we are currently assessing which other commodities might benefit from the nemaX. We do this in close co-operation and based on trust. After-sales is just as important as sales. This is how we build long-term partnerships. In that respect, we are proud to say that AT has placed an order for a second nemaX grab, which will be delivered in January 2022.”

For more information, contact: Tel: +31 (0)111 418 948 nemag.com

Innovative design features

Regular wear and tear can never be fully prevented, but the nemaX allows users to achieve substantial savings in terms of maintenance. This helps to reduce operational expenditure and downtime significantly, crucial in view of the pressure on handling rates that terminals are experiencing due to overcapacity in the dry bulk sector. Through exhaustive computer simulations, the nemaX offers numerous key innovative design features. The most important ones are:

1. Minimal number of moving parts The nemaX design features a minimal number of moving parts: only two sheaves and 70% fewer moving parts than in a comparable clamshell grab. 2. Only 2 main pivot points The nemaX has only two main pivot points, with highquality spherical roller bearings. In comparison, a comparable clamshell grab with slide bearings features 12 main pivot points. 3. Durable closing cables The way in which the hoisting wires have been reeved reduces flexing along the sheave blocks by 75% compared to a 2x5-part clamshell grab. Metal fatigue in the closing cables is reduced proportionately, resulting in a longer operational lifespan for these cables. And nemaX’s unique operational design minimises the clogging and wear of sheave blocks and closing cables and significantly extends the lifespan of the closing cables. 4. Closing cables are easy and safe to switch The anchor points of the closing cables are located at an accessible working height, making it easy and safe to reeve in new closing cables without needing to set up an elevated work platform of scaffolding.

MACHINE, REPAIR AND SERVICES

COMPANY NEWS

Established in 1977, MRS Greifer GmbH is a leading engineering company providing design, manufacture, supply and after sales services for grab buckets up to 30m³ capacity. Our commitment to continuous research and development ensures our grabs are world leaders in terms of technology, quality and performance.

With five decades of experience in the design, manufacture, research and development of grabs, plus an extensive after-sales service backed by our team of highly skilled engineers, MRS Grabs has clients from every corner of the world.

We design grabs to fully meet the needs of our clients and the parameters within which they work, producing equipment capable of unloading all kinds of bulk cargo. Our machines include the latest features and are of optimal weight, ensuring an exemplary performance for a longer period of time. When it comes to hydraulics and other outsourced parts, we only use trusted brands so the highest quality is ensured. Each grab is manufactured under the industry’s strict quality controls, according to the QAP approved by our experts. We are only too aware that delays in shipping can result in exorbitant costs so we keep a full stock of spare parts, and our committed after-sales service team is available to see to all our customers’ needs in the quickest possible time.

With grabs to handle bulk, logs, scrap, underwater dredging and more, please don’t hesitate to contact us to talk through your needs.

For more information, contact: MRS Greifer GmbH Talweg 15 - 17 74921 Helmstadt Tel: +49 7263 9129-15 Fax: +49 7263 9129-12 Email: export@mrs-greifer.de mrs-greifer.de