Marsa Maroc strengthens Casablanca bulk operations with first Liebherr LPS in Africa

Africa’s first Liebherr portal slewing crane is set to enter service at the Port of Casablanca. Marsa Maroc has selected an LPS 550 for bulk cargo operations, expanding its handling portfolio at one of North Africa’s busiest maritime gateways. The crane provides the flexibility to serve a broad range of vessel classes. Its rail-mounted portal design delivers substantial lifting capability while preserving valuable space along the quay. Advanced drive systems enable accurate crane movements and consistent handling performance throughout intensive operating cycles.

The installation has been configured around the operational requirements of the Port of Casablanca, one of Morocco’s most strategically significant commercial gateways, where berth productivity and vessel turnaround remain critical measures of success. Covering more than 450 hectares, with over 8 kilometres of quays and capacity for up to 40 vessels at the same time, the Port of Casablanca depends on equipment capable of maintaining reliable cargo flow across busy terminal operations.

Supporting Morocco’s expanding port landscape

The latest project builds on an established relationship between Marsa Maroc and Liebherr. Managing 35 terminals across 21 ports, and handling approximately 67 million tonnes of cargo annually, Marsa Maroc continues to invest in equipment that matches the scale and diversity of Morocco’s maritime trade. Following the delivery of three Liebherr LHM 550 mobile harbour cranes in 2024, the addition of the LPS 550 introduces a complementary handling solution tailored to bulk cargo operations.

As the economic centre of Morocco, Casablanca handles a wide range of cargoes, including containers, steel products, cereals, animal feed, minerals and vehicles. Across its Casablanca operations, Marsa Maroc manages more than 19 million tonnes of cargo and nearly 1,100,000 TEU in 2025, placing a premium on equipment that can respond efficiently to changing cargo profiles and vessel requirements.

Marsa Maroc’s investment programme extends beyond Casablanca, with additional Liebherr cranes scheduled for delivery to terminals in Nador and Tangier. Together, these projects reflect the operator’s commitment to expanding handling capacity across its network while responding to increasing cargo volumes and a broader mix of traded commodities.

Engineering capability aligned with long-term growth

Through Liebherr Marocco, customers benefit from direct access to local service expertise and technical support throughout the operational life of their equipment. The regional organisation complements Liebherr’s global maritime network and provides on-the-ground support tailored to local operating requirements.

‘Marsa Maroc already operates Liebherr cranes at several locations, and the addition of an LPS 550 further broadens that relationship,’ said Andreas Ritschel, General Manager Sales Mobile Harbour Cranes at Liebherr-Rostock GmbH. ‘For us, this project is particularly noteworthy because it introduces a new Liebherr crane type into an established fleet, demonstrating how different products from our maritime portfolio can be matched to specific terminal requirements.’

As Morocco’s leading port operator and a company pursuing continued expansion both domestically and internationally, Marsa Maroc continues to invest in equipment aligned with the requirements of its diverse cargo portfolio. The deployment of the LPS 550 in Casablanca adds a dedicated bulk handling solution to one of Morocco’s busiest port environments while further expanding the company’s use of Liebherr maritime technology.