Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Three LHM 550 cranes support bulk cargo operations at India’s Kakinada port
At the eastern seaport of Kakinada in India, three mobile harbour cranes from Liebherr Maritime Cranes now stand side by side handling daily bulk cargo operations along the quay. Positioned next to the 225 metre bulk carrier Medi Palmarola, the line up highlights the growing role of flexible cargo handling equipment in India’s expanding port sector.
The cranes are all LHM 550 units, a model widely used in bulk and general cargo operations due to its high handling capacity and mobility within terminal environments. According to Liebherr, two of the three cranes operate with electric drive systems, supporting lower emission cargo handling activities at the terminal operated by BOTHRA SHIPPING SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED.
Bulk cargo demand shapes terminal investments
Ports across India’s east coast continue to invest in cargo handling infrastructure as bulk commodity volumes remain strong. Kakinada serves as an important gateway for regional industrial cargo flows, connecting agricultural products, minerals, and industrial commodities with international markets.
For terminal operators, the choice between diesel and electric powered equipment is becoming increasingly practical rather than symbolic. Electricity driven cranes can reduce fuel dependency and lower operational emissions while maintaining continuous cargo throughput. In ports where vessels are waiting on berth windows, efficiency often matters as much as capacity itself.
Mobile cranes remain central to flexible operations
Unlike fixed quay cranes designed for container terminals, mobile harbour cranes allow operators to shift equipment between berths and cargo types. That flexibility has become particularly valuable in breakbulk and dry bulk trades where cargo mixes can change rapidly from one vessel call to the next.
From the quay, the three cranes create a striking industrial scene against the Bay of Bengal backdrop. For port operators, however, the more important picture is the steady movement of cargo between regional producers and global supply chains.
