German crane manufacturer Liebherr will supply eight LS 250 heavy-lift ship cranes to Hamburg-based shipping company dship Carriers. These state-of-the-art cranes will be installed on four newbuild vessels, each equipped with two cranes, and are scheduled for delivery in 2026.
The LS 250 crane model offers a lifting capacity of up to 250 tonnes and has a maximum outreach of 36 metres. It has a low deadweight of just 150 tonnes, which helps improve ship stability and cargo handling efficiency, without compromising on performance or safety.
These cranes are being manufactured at Liebherr’s production site in Rostock, located on Germany’s Baltic coast. Once completed, they will be sent to a shipyard in China, where they will be installed on dship’s new vessels.
The cranes are designed to comply with the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations, which apply to ships that sail between the Great Lakes in Canada and the Atlantic Ocean.
The LS series from Liebherr is considered a modern and efficient solution for maritime heavy cargo transport. dship Carriers has chosen this model to equip at least four of its newest ships. The company is investing in eight cranes as part of its fleet expansion plan.
Liebherr stated that the LS 250 is the flagship model of its LS crane series. The crane’s lightweight construction and compact design make it easy to integrate into various ship types.
The collaboration between dship and Liebherr began in 2019 and has been going strong since then. According to dship Carriers’ CEO Lars Feller, Liebherr’s experience in maritime crane manufacturing and the LS 250’s performance and reliability played a key role in continuing the partnership.
Currently, dship Carriers already operates four F 500 class vessels, each fitted with two LS 250 cranes. The addition of eight more cranes for the company’s new D 500 class ships are a major expansion.
Liebherr’s Global Application Manager for Heavy Lift Offshore and Ship Cranes, Robert Pitschmann, said that the ongoing cooperation with dship is based on mutual trust and shared commitment to finding the best technical solutions.
The LS 250 crane includes a fully enclosed crane column that protects internal components, helping it withstand harsh environments. This design reduces maintenance needs and prevents early wear and tear. The crane’s hydraulic system is fully piped, making it easier to maintain and improving the life of the electro-hydraulic drive system.
Another feature of the crane is the Litronic control system, developed by Liebherr. This system provides real-time operational data and connects directly with the crane operator. It ensures accurate handling, high performance, and efficient speed control during lifting operations.
After installation, Liebherr Hamburg will handle the maintenance and servicing of the cranes. Liebherr also supports its customers through a global network of skilled engineers and consultants, allowing for quick service response and keeping downtime to a minimum.
Reference: liebherr
Source: Maritime Shipping News