What is a mobile harbour crane?
A mobile harbour crane (MHC) is essential port equipment — a self-propelled, rail-free luffing jib crane mounted on a wheeled or crawler undercarriage. It can be driven along the quay or relocated between berths without disassembly, making it one of the most flexible bulk and general cargo handling solutions available to port operators.
Key specifications
- Lifting capacity: 40 t (light models) up to 208 t (heavy-lift variants).
- Outreach: typically 32–58 m, enough to reach the hold of a Panamax or even a Post-Panamax vessel.
- Hoisting speed: 60–120 m/min for productivity-focused models.
- Drive: diesel-electric or fully electric (shore power) depending on model generation.
What is a mobile harbour crane used for?
MHCs handle a wide variety of cargo types, which is a key advantage over fixed, purpose-built equipment:
- Container handling (with a spreader attachment).
- Bulk cargo (grain, coal, ore) using a grab or continuous unloader attachment.
- General and project cargo including steel coils, timber, and heavy lifts.
- RoRo and multipurpose terminals where flexibility is more important than throughput speed.
Mobile harbour crane vs. ship-to-shore (STS) crane
A ship-to-shore crane is fixed on rails, purpose-built for container vessels, and capable of very high cycle rates — but it cannot be relocated and requires major civil works. A mobile harbour crane trades peak throughput for flexibility: it can work any berth, handle mixed cargo types, and be sold or redeployed when terminal needs change.
Leading manufacturers
- Liebherr — LHM series (LHM 180 to LHM 800); the benchmark brand for MHCs worldwide.
- Gottwald / Konecranes — HMK series; especially common in European multipurpose ports.
- Sennebogen — 883 and 885 series; known for energy-efficient electro-hydraulic drives.
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