Porto Chibatão, one of Brazil’s largest private ports, has set a global milestone with the addition of four Liebherr LBS 800 barge-slewing cranes. These cranes, the largest of their kind, are now in full operation at the port, marking it as the first in the world to feature such advanced equipment on a floating pier. With an impressive boom length of 66 meters, these cranes can reach large freighters carrying up to 23 rows of containers, making them ideal for handling high cargo volumes.
What sets these cranes apart is their 9.6-meter tower extension, offering operators better visibility and control. Porto Chibatão’s adoption of these cranes aligns with its growth strategy, which includes keeping up with rising cargo demands while minimizing environmental impact. The LBS 800 cranes come equipped with electric drives, ensuring reliable, high-speed turnover with reduced emissions—something that is increasingly important in today’s shipping and logistics industries.
This latest development is part of Porto Chibatão’s long-standing partnership with Liebherr, which began in 2007. Over the years, the port has expanded its fleet to 42 cranes, including gantry cranes, fixed cargo cranes, and barge-slewing models. Today, Porto Chibatão is the largest Liebherr port equipment customer in Latin America.
Founded in 1987, Porto Chibatão spans a massive one million square meters and handles a wide variety of goods that flow through the Manaus industrial park, also known as the free trade zone. The port’s static load capacity stands at 40,000 TEUs, and the new LBS 800 cranes can lift up to 104 tonnes with a turnover rate of 35 containers per hour. These cranes are built on Liebherr’s latest mobile harbour crane design, featuring a more digitalized architecture that paves the way for future automation and operational efficiency.
The port’s floating pier, now 1,026 meters long after recent expansions, can handle up to eight vessels simultaneously, with drafts up to 20 meters. This makes Porto Chibatão a key player in both global and local supply chains, servicing shipping companies such as Hamburg Süd, Maersk, CMA-CGM, and MSC. The port processes a diverse range of goods, from textiles to electronics and steel products, making it vital for the Manaus Industrial Pole.
“With these LBS 800 cranes, we’re not only boosting our operational capacity but also contributing to environmental sustainability,” said Jhony Fidelis, General Executive Director of Grupo Chibatão. “Liebherr continues to be a perfect partner for our vision of excellence in performance and responsibility.”
Porto Chibatão’s expansion plans, including a 98 million reais (€18.3 million) investment to extend the pier, reflect the port’s commitment to future growth. With the addition of the LBS 800 cranes, Porto Chibatão is well-positioned to meet the demands of the evolving global shipping market, setting a new standard for port operations worldwide.
