05-06. MayJun 2022 issue-v2.qxp_Pages-12-40-JanFeb WPD 01/06/2022 12:39 Page 11
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mobile harbour crane
Downturn? What downturn? If you thought the market for Mobile Harbour Cranes slowed down for the last couple of years just read the annual report published in April 2022 by Austria-based Liebherr Group. Thomas Francis reports...
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oing through the annual report of Liebherr Group the company achieved a turnover of EUR 11.6 billion in 2021 - an increase of 12.6% (almost EUR 1.3 billion) compared to 2020. As a result, the Liebherr Group was almost able to match its previous record year in 2019 in terms of annual turnover. In the product segments, including maritime cranes, aerospace and transportation systems, gear technology and automation systems, refrigerators and freezers, as well as components and hotels (yes, they also own several hotels), Liebherr achieved total revenues of EUR 3.63 billion - up 3.9 % compared to 2020. What is interesting is that the order intake for Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC) in 2021 was higher than ever before. In total, more than 80 new units and also various used units were sold to customers worldwide. Liebherr mobile harbour cranes were ordered from 31 different countries with all continents being represented.
24 World Port Development June 2022
There was strong growth in the Middle East and West Africa regions and stable core markets in Europe as well as North and South America. As in previous years, the LHM 550 is the most popular crane, closely followed by the LHM 420. A strong increase in sales of the LHM 800 was recorded, which more than tripled compared to 2020. However, just like other MHC manufacturers there are still uncertainties with regard to pandemic-related restrictions, the effects of steep price increases for many goods and services, shortages of certain raw materials and the lack of skilled workers, as well as bottlenecks across different supply chains. But the company reported to have started 2022 with a very good order book, although the negative effects on the activities of the Liebherr Group due to the war in Ukraine can already be seen.
Liebherr is monitoring and assessing the situation in Ukraine and Russia on a daily basis and is currently in the process of adjusting its Russian activities to the extensive sanctions imposed on the country. In March 2022, one of the leading port operators in Poland, Port Gda sk Eksploatacja SA, took delivery of a new Liebherr LHM 550 mobile harbour crane - the 300th order of this crane type.
