The UK’s port of Sunderland has acquired a second Liebherr LHM 420 crane.
Working in tandem with the other crane, the port will now be able to lift cargoes weighing up to 240 tonnes, opening new markets, said the port authority, adding that its geographical position makes it a good location from which to serve the resurgent offshore renewables market in the region.
The crane, which was produced at Liebherr’s facility in Rostock, Germany, arrived at the port on an ocean-going vessel.
Matthew Hunt, port director, said: “By investing in our second heavy lift crane, we can deliver large, more complex projects much more efficiently.”
Sunderland is one of a number of ports in the UK North East that has recently also signed up to a new initiative to pilot smart digital solutions to boost trade and foster economic growth.
The Smart Port North East Testbed brings together digital and industry experts, academia, regional authorities as well as the port of Berwick, port of Blyth, port of Sunderland, Teesport and port of Tyne to test satellite-based solutions to enable ports to become more ‘intelligent’.
It will explore technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, unmanned marine vessels and airborne drones to examine ways of speeding up trade, increasing efficiency and reliability, reducing costs, tracking cargo, improving security and protecting the environment.
The project targets four key outcomes for the ports: new business opportunities and hinterland engagement; boosting the growth of green energy and low carbon solutions; improved customer experiences; and operational excellence and security in and around the port.
