A major milestone was reached in Ravenna, Italy, this week as Liebherr handed over its 2,000th mobile harbour crane — an LHM 600 — to Italian steel group Marcegaglia, marking over two decades of industrial collaboration between the two family-run firms.
The ceremony, held on 8 July at Marcegaglia’s Ravenna facility, brought together senior leaders from both companies to celebrate the delivery of the LHM 600 — now the largest crane in Marcegaglia’s port fleet. The machine will strengthen the terminal’s heavy steel logistics, supporting handling of coils, billets, and plates across a site that processes more than four million tonnes of cargo annually.
Antonio Marcegaglia, President and CEO of Marcegaglia, was present for the occasion, alongside Patricia Rüf, Member of the Administrative Board at Liebherr-International AG. Also in attendance was Liebherr’s regional sales team and Mac Port, the German manufacturer’s long-standing Italian partner for sales and servicing.
“We are proud to receive this milestone crane,” said Antonio Marcegaglia during the event. “It is not only a technical asset but a symbol of our shared journey with Liebherr – one built on reliability, innovation, and mutual respect.”
LHM 600: Powering Expansion in Steel Cargo Operations
The LHM 600 is engineered for demanding port environments. It features a 61-metre outreach and a maximum lifting capacity of 154 tonnes, tailored for handling large-volume steel cargoes with precision. Ergonomic design enhancements and an intuitive digital interface improve usability for operators, while integrated fire protection and other safety systems offer resilience during intensive operations.
The crane arrives as Marcegaglia continues investing in expanding Ravenna’s capacity. The site plays a pivotal role in the company’s industrial logistics strategy, handling high-frequency vessel calls and multimodal connections to inland markets.
The LHM 600 is expected to enhance loading and discharge operations, especially as the volume of steel handled through the terminal continues to grow. “The Ravenna facility is vital to Marcegaglia’s development strategy,” a company spokesperson noted. “This new crane is a timely addition to support both growth and operational safety.”
A Two-Decade Collaboration Built on Trust and Technical Excellence
The partnership between Liebherr and Marcegaglia began in 2001 with the delivery of an LHM 400, and has steadily grown as Marcegaglia’s logistics needs evolved. Over the past twenty-four years, the steel company has incrementally expanded its fleet to meet demand, with multiple LHM models deployed across its Italian ports.
For Liebherr, the 2,000th delivery is a landmark in mobile harbour crane production — reflecting years of engineering development, customer-focused innovation, and global market leadership from its Rostock production hub.
Andreas Ritschel, General Manager Sales Mobile Harbour Cranes at Liebherr Rostock, commented: “To deliver our 2,000th mobile harbour crane to Marcegaglia is a proud moment. It speaks to the strength of our legacy and to the shared innovation with our customers that drives us forward.”
The ongoing partnership also underlines the critical role of Mac Port, Liebherr’s service partner in Italy, whose technical support has helped maintain high crane availability across multiple Marcegaglia locations. Their involvement ensures the new LHM 600 will operate with minimal downtime and fully tailored technical assistance.
Looking Ahead: Crane Investment Signals Future Growth
Marcegaglia’s investment in advanced mobile harbour cranes mirrors broader trends in the breakbulk and steel cargo logistics sector. As cargo volumes increase and environmental pressures mount, ports are focusing on fast, safe, and digitally integrated cargo handling solutions.
For Marcegaglia, the LHM 600 is more than a machine — it’s a strategic asset that will contribute to higher throughput, reduced operational delays, and enhanced worker safety.
While this delivery marks a significant production milestone for Liebherr, it also affirms a shared industrial ethos: family ownership, long-term vision, and the belief that reliability and collaboration are the cornerstones of sustained success in port logistics.
