Liebherr has completed a crane raise on two of its ship-to-shore (STS) cranes in use at Scotland’s Port of Grangemouth, increasing their lift height by 2.2m.

The Port of Grangemouth, which handles 250,000 TEU annually, has three Liebherr STS cranes - the first two delivered in 2006 and a third in 2018.

The first two STS cranes have now had their operational lifespan extended and are able to support higher container stacks and larger straddle carriers with their extended reach.

The port continues to face the challenge of adapting to increasing container volumes and evolving equipment requirements while recent operational changes, including higher container stacks and the introduction of larger, next-generation straddle carriers, meant there was a need for increased clearance beneath the STS cranes to maintain safe and efficient operations.

Liebherr says it delivered the on-rail crane raise in six weeks per crane.

“Our crane upgrade is a significant step forward as we ensure that we future-proof our container operations for our customers,” says Craig Torrance, asset manager at The Port of Grangemouth.

“The ability to handle higher container stacks and larger straddle carriers at the terminal ensures we remain competitive and efficient in a fast-changing market.”

Leibherr says the crane raise not only increases the cranes height but also extends its service life.

“Rather than replacing the existing cranes, we helped to unlock new capabilities and extend the crane service life,” explains Oran Kane, global manager – upgrades at Liebherr Container Cranes. “It’s a cost-effective, sustainable solution that delivers long-term value for Forth Ports Grangemouth.”