Liebherr hybrid drive for Vienna

The crane provides a maximum lifting capacity of 84 tonnes, an outreach of up to 40m, and is equipped with two winches for efficient cargo handling. Hafen Wien, which operates the largest Austrian free port in the capital Vienna, says the crane means it takes a major step towards low-emission but high-performance.

“Our new mobile harbour crane helps us to improve cargo handling efficiency. Thanks to its versatility and mobility, we are able to expand our service portfolio which is important for the future development of our port,” said Karin Zipperer, technical director of the port. “This investment also strengthens the attractiveness of inland waterborne transport.”

Liebherr’s Pactronic hybrid drive system regenerated 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 then transferred back to the system when the crane requires peak power during hoisting. In terms of turnover capacity, Liebherr says the result is a plus of 30% compared to a conventional machine with equal power rating of the primary energy source as well as a reduction of around of fuel/energy consumption and CO2 and exhaust emissions in the range of 30%, depending on the operation.

Hafen Wien also ordered Liebherr’s Cycoptronic system for its new LHM 280 – an optional tool which ensures accurate and sway-free load motion through initiating dynamic counterbalancing movements for operation at maximum speed.

Elsewhere, Liebherr Container Cranes has delivered four STS cranes to Fenix Container Terminal at the Russian port of Bronka. The cranes are due to enter operation at the purpose-built container terminal on the Baltic Sea, which once fully developed will have a capacity of three million teu, in the coming weeks.