Liebherr crane boosts Compas Cartagena capacity amid larger vessel calls

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Liebherr Maritime Cranes has commissioned an LHM 600 mobile harbour crane at Compas Cartagena, giving the Colombian terminal more reach and lifting capacity as vessel sizes and cargo mixes continue to evolve.

The crane offers a 104 tonne lifting capacity in its delivered configuration and a maximum outreach of 61 metres. Liebherr said the unit is now the largest mobile harbour crane operating in Colombia, adding fresh handling capability at one of the country’s key Caribbean gateways.

For a multipurpose port, that matters. A terminal is not a single-lane road. Containers, bulk cargo, refrigerated cargo and project shipments often compete for berth space, equipment and labour. A mobile harbour crane gives the operator another way to keep cargo moving when vessel schedules tighten or cargo flows shift.

The crane has entered service at Compas Cartagena, a terminal with four berthing positions and annual container handling of up to 250,000 TEUs. It supports container work while also fitting into a broader multipurpose operation that includes bulk, breakbulk, project cargo and refrigerated shipments.

Its 61 metre outreach allows the terminal to handle wider container vessels, while the lifting capacity supports heavy container moves and twin lift operations where needed. Because the LHM 600 is mounted on a mobile undercarriage, it can be shifted between berths as demand changes.

That flexibility is central to the investment. Rather than relying only on fixed infrastructure expansion, Compas is adding equipment that can work across different cargo streams. In port operations, that is often the difference between a congested berth and a controlled rotation.

Compas Cartagena sits in one of Colombia’s most important port zones, linking domestic supply chains with international shipping services through the Caribbean. The terminal handles containers alongside bulk and general cargo, supported by cold storage facilities and non intrusive inspection systems capable of scanning up to 150 containers per hour.

A Compas representative said the investment strengthens the company’s ability to serve shipping lines and cargo owners as trade volumes continue to evolve.

“By expanding handling capacity within our existing footprint, we are reinforcing Cartagena’s role as a stable and efficient gateway for Colombian foreign trade,” the representative said.

The arrival of the crane is also expected to support vessel turnaround during peak periods. For cargo owners, the operational issue is simple. A delay at berth can quickly become a delay in the inland chain, affecting warehouses, customs processes and final delivery windows.

Liebherr said the LHM 600 will be supported by its regional sales and service organisation, including access to technical expertise, spare parts and scheduled maintenance. For a terminal that operates across several cargo types, crane availability is not a background issue. It is part of the terminal’s commercial promise.

Andreas Ritschel, General Manager Sales Mobile Harbour Cranes at Liebherr Rostock GmbH, said the goal is to deliver equipment that fits into complex port environments and supports long term performance.

“In Cartagena, this means enabling flexible container handling while respecting the operational realities of a multipurpose terminal,” Ritschel said.

The crane was manufactured at Liebherr’s Rostock production site in Germany before being shipped to Colombia. Rostock remains Liebherr’s main production base for maritime mobile harbour cranes.

Colombian ports are under pressure to handle changing cargo profiles without always having the space or time for major civil works. Larger vessels, tighter schedules and more varied cargo parcels require equipment that can stretch terminal capability without forcing a full redesign of the quay.

The LHM 600 gives Compas Cartagena a larger operational tool for that challenge. It can support container volumes, assist with heavy lifts and give planners more options across the terminal’s berths.

For Colombia’s foreign trade, such upgrades are rarely dramatic in isolation. Their value is seen in fewer bottlenecks, steadier berth planning and more reliable cargo flows through established gateways.