MPDC inaugurated two new port mobile harbor cranes (MHCs) today, July 5, marking a significant step towards improving its operational efficiency.
These state-of-the-art Liebherr LHM 550 cranes, each with a handling capacity of 144 tons, strengthen the port’s current fleet of four MHCs and pave the way for greater productivity in handling general and bulk cargo at the Port of Maputo.
The two new pieces of equipment bring MPDC’s total fleet of MHCs to six. Additional handling support equipment, such as tipplers and trailers, was also purchased, representing a total investment of $25.5 million.
MPDC took delivery of its first pair of MHCs in 2015, followed by the second pair in 2018. These cranes have been critical to the port’s cargo handling operations, currently accounting for 75% of the port’s monthly cargo movement. With the arrival of the two new MHCs, MPDC is well equipped to handle larger cargo volumes, serving large ships or those without ship’s cranes more efficiently.
The new cranes will be positioned on berths 6, 7 and 9, whose rehabilitation and expansion was completed in 2022, and which have depths ranging from 15.2 to 16 meters.
