The new U5 underground line will connect entire districts of Hamburg along a route of approximately 29 kilometres to the existing rapid transit network. With a planned construction period extending to around 2040, the project ranks among the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings in Germany. On behalf of HOCHBAHN U5 Projekt GmbH, the joint ventures ARGE U5 Lot 1 and ARGE U5 Lot 2, each comprising Wayss & Freytag and Züblin AG, are responsible for construction on the first section. For the demanding lifting and logistics operations, the joint ventures have chosen Liebherr tower cranes.
High-performance tower cranes along the first U5 route
18 Liebherr tower cranes are currently deployed on the first construction section between City Nord (a city park) and Bramfeld. The fleet comprises a deliberate combination of Liebherr EC-B flat-top cranes and EC-H high-top cranes. This pairing allows efficient working both in tight inner-city locations and at larger excavation pits and station structures.
The cranes are supplied by several partners, including long-standing Liebherr partner Feurig Baumaschinen GmbH, BMTI (Züblin) and Wayss & Freytag. The Liebherr EC-B flat-top cranes stand out for their ability to operate without collision on densely occupied sites. The flat-top design allows flexible crane arrangements and facilitates the parallel operation of multiple cranes along the construction corridor.
These are complemented by Liebherr EC-H high-top cranes, designed with high load reserves, substantial hook heights and powerful drive systems. These characteristics are of central importance when lifting heavy formwork systems, precast elements and technical equipment for tunnel and station construction. The high reliability and robustness of the EC-H series are essential for maintaining continuous progress over a construction programme spanning many years.
Crane technology as the backbone of a generational project
The new U5 will run for approximately 29 kilometres across Hamburg, connecting up to 24 new stations from Bramfeld via City Nord to Osdorf. It will serve key employment and educational destinations including the University of Hamburg, the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and major office districts such as City Nord.
Once complete, the new line is expected to carry approximately 315.000 passengers daily. The U5 will operate as a fully automated underground and is designed to run at headways of up to 90 seconds, an interval unprecedented in the German underground network.
Construction is taking place with the city in full operation, placing high demands on safety, precision and schedule reliability. Liebherr tower cranes make an essential contribution by enabling efficient material flows, accelerating construction sequences and managing the logistical complexity of lifting operations along the route. Sustainability is another priority for the project: the line will operate entirely emissions-free, powered exclusively by certified green electricity. Environmental responsibility has been embedded throughout planning and construction, with the U5 aiming to become one of the most sustainable underground lines in Germany and to make a decisive contribution to the shift towards sustainable mobility in Hamburg.
The extensive use of Liebherr tower cranes on the U5 project demonstrates that modern crane solutions are an indispensable component of sustainable, long-term infrastructure programmes. Liebherr once again establishes itself as a reliable technology partner for major projects that will shape cities for decades to come.
