Seaboard Marine Adds Electric Liebherr LHM 550 Cranes at U.S. Ports
Seaboard Marine Adds Electric Liebherr LHM 550 Cranes at U.S. Ports
Seaboard Marine Ltd. has invested in three Liebherr LHM 550 mobile harbour cranes equipped with electric drive systems for operations at PortMiami and the Port of Houston. The cranes will be used across Seaboard Marine’s private terminals to support container and multipurpose cargo handling.
The new cranes are delivered in a high-rise configuration and include tower extensions and customized supporting pads. According to Liebherr, the electric drive systems position the cranes for future shore power initiatives, while hydrostatic drive technology supports smooth operation under varying load conditions.
Each LHM 550 provides an outreach of up to 54 meters (177.17 feet) and a configured lifting capacity of 104 metric tons (114.64 U.S. tons), enabling the handling of New-Panamax vessels. The cranes are intended to support high-volume port environments while maintaining turnaround efficiency.
At PortMiami, where more than 1.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were processed in 2024, the additional cranes are expected to strengthen berth productivity and assist with increased refrigerated cargo and breakbulk shipments. Seaboard Marine is currently the largest carrier by cargo volume at the port.
At the Port of Houston, which handled more than 4.1 million TEUs last year, the cranes will increase container handling flexibility while supporting Seaboard Marine’s multipurpose service operations.
The latest delivery expands a partnership between Liebherr and Seaboard Marine that began in 2001, adding to eight Liebherr cranes already in service across Seaboard Marine terminals.
Customer-specific modifications include tower extensions, customized pads and tailored painting to meet operational requirements. Each crane is designed for electric operation to align with future port electrification standards.
Liebherr USA, Co. will support the cranes through a regional service network that includes on-site teams in Miami and Houston. Remote support and rapid intervention services are provided under a full-service contract.
“This collaboration demonstrates our shared commitment to future‐ready solutions and operational excellence,” said Andreas Ritschel, general manager sales mobile harbour cranes at Liebherr‐Rostock GmbH.
Liebherr is also providing operator training programs and digital monitoring tools, including the LiDAT smartApp, to support crane performance and safety.
