ICO Terminals has ordered a second LHM 550 mobile harbour crane for its Vrasene Terminal, the largest RoRo terminal at the Port of Antwerp.
This latest order highlights both companies’ focus on innovation in cargo handling, particularly as ICO has been managing substantial out-of-gauge project cargo in Antwerp for years.
“At ICO, we are constantly looking ahead to ensure we have the best equipment and technology to meet the evolving needs of our customers,” said Alain Guillemyn, managing director at ICO Terminals.
“The addition of the second Liebherr LHM 550 to our Antwerp terminal reflects our commitment to innovation and flexibility for all kinds of cargo projects.”
ICO’s existing crane has become outdated, especially as unit weights frequently exceed 100 tonnes.
Approximately three-quarters of the cargo handled at the Antwerp terminal, around 40,000 tonnes annually, consists of Liebherr products, with Liebherr Colmar dispatching nearly all its overseas products by barge to the terminal for onward distribution.
In 2021, ICO invested in an LHM 550 for its Zeebrugge terminal to meet growing customer demands for project cargo shipments. This investment paid off, with the first crane handling 10,000 tonnes in its first year and 22,000 tonnes the following year, with expectations of further growth in 2024.
The new LHM 550 for Antwerp operations will enhance efficiency and support ICO’s sustainability goals, using energy-efficient e-drive systems to reduce emissions.
