Acciaierie d’Italia orders four port mobile cranes from Liebherr

The leading steel manufacturer in Italy, Acciaierie d’Italia, has recently signed a contract with Liebherr for four new LPS 800 portal cranes. The new equipment will be used for handling raw materials for steel production. The LPS 800 is the strongest and largest portal crane in the Liebherr portfolio. The four units will be 100% electrically operated, enabling emissions-free bulk handling. They are also equipped with Liebherr’s hybrid system Pactronic, which provides additional power to the crane when needed.

(Rostock/Taranto) In the city of Taranto, Acciaierie d’Italia operates a large and strategically located steel plant that represents the center of its business. The site is set to be further expanded with the largest and strongest Liebherr portal cranes of the LPS 800 type. The modern crane technology will be used for handling raw materials for steel production.

“Our unique technical solutions for this project made the difference. These four gigantic portal cranes will be 100% electrically operated, enabling emissions-free material handling. Acciaierie d’Italia also secures an unmatched handling performance in the MHC market with the four LPS 800. We look forward to this exciting partnership,” says Andreas Müller, Liebherr’s sales manager for port mobile cranes.

Proven design over many years

The LHM 800 is the largest and most powerful model in the product range of port mobile cranes. Currently, over 20 units in the mobile version are in operation with various customers worldwide. The long-proven design and reliability of the LHM 800 speak for themselves. Acciaierie d’Italia has ordered a customized portal version of the 800 model. Installing the crane on a portal has various advantages. The crane can move along the already installed rails along the quay edge, and at the same time, the space under the portal can be utilized. Liebherr offers a unique combination of proven Liebherr port crane technology and space-saving installation on rail-bound portals with its portal crane models.

“Acciaierie d’Italia is an important player in the European steel business. We are proud that they have chosen the market leader in port mobile crane technology – Liebherr. With the Mac Port Group, they also have a competent and local contact person on site. We will support them in all service matters and ensure maximum availability of the equipment,” comments Matteo Bilotti, managing director of Mac Port Group.

Sustainable features

The four LPS 800 cranes from Acciaierie d’Italia have a 4-rope configuration with a maximum lifting capacity of up to 144 tons. All machines are exclusively equipped with an electric drive, allowing them to operate without local emissions. This corresponds to the current trend, which shows a significant shift of drives towards electric propulsion. The cranes are also equipped with the performance booster Pactronic developed by Liebherr. Pactronic is an additional pressure accumulator that stores lowering energy or excess energy from the electric drive and returns it in the form of pressure to the closed hydraulic circuit when needed. This allows for increased performance during the lifting process. Additionally, excess energy is not wasted but returned to the circuit and used efficiently. These features make the LPS 800 the most powerful machine in bulk handling, with handling capacities of up to 2,000 tons per hour.

Operator training for increased safety

To prepare both the machine operators and the technical staff of Acciaierie d’Italia during the time until delivery, various training options are currently being discussed. The Liebherr-owned LiSIM simulator will also be used. For optimal preparation for the future handling equipment, a technical service training at the maritime headquarters in Rostock, Germany, is also conceivable. Liebherr is capable of accompanying the entire procurement process, from the individual technical solution to delivery and training.

Photo: © Liebherr