Green bulk handling in Spain

Galigrain received the Liebherr LHM 550 back in 2011 and it’s used for bulk operation, shifting cereals and other bulk loads from vessels up to Panamax size.

Liebherr says that the Pactronic Hybrid Power Booster allows for 30% more turnover and 30% less fuel consumption. And Galigrain says that the crane has exceeded its expectations, frequently a peak turnover of 1.800t/h.

Ceferino Nogueira García, managing director, Galigrain, said: “The LHM 550 has enlarged the capacity and performance of our terminals and fits perfectly into our efforts towards more efficient and environmentally friendly operations.”

“Outstanding turnover performance allows for a faster loading and unloading of bulk carriers. As a consequence, the Spanish port has increased its attractiveness for shipping lines”, he added.

Liebherr’s Pactronic Hybrid Power Booster was awarded with the State Prize Clean Technology Austria in 2012.

By adding an accumulator as a secondary energy source instead of a bigger or additional prime mover, Pactronic regenerates the reverse power while lowering the load. In addition, the surplus power of the primary energy source is also used for charging the accumulator. The stored energy is transferred back to the system when the crane requires peak power during hoisting – hence the increased turnover and reduced fuel costs.