For many years, Liebherr France SAS has been highly regarded for its factory-made special solutions tailored to individual customer requirements. For dredging operations in Béthune, northern France, Ghent Dredging uses a type R 938 Liebherr crawler excavator. The Belgian company selected the machine to benefit from Liebherr’s specialist expertise and the advantage of a one stop shop approach. While the Generation 8 R 938 is typically designed for earthmoving applications, this project called for a bespoke configuration, developed specifically to meet the demands of dredging work.
In 2025, Ghent Dredging further strengthened its fleet with the addition of two Liebherr R 938 crawler excavators. These investments reflect the company’s confidence in the performance and reliability of Liebherr machines, as well as in the quality of customer support provided by SOMPT Belgium. The successful collaboration between Liebherr and SOMPT highlights a shared commitment to building sustainable, long term partnerships, enabling customers to tackle complex and demanding projects with confidence.
Bespoke R 938 crawler excavator ensures optimal results
A distinguishing feature of the R 938 crawler excavator is its multi-user working attachments. The machine is equipped with a specially adapted boom and stick combination — an 8.7 m gooseneck boom and a 5.7 m stick — providing the necessary reach to the bottom of the canal. To guarantee optimal stability, the machine is equipped with an impressive 11.8 tonne counterweight.
Operator comfort and visibility were also key considerations. The R 938 features a hydraulically adjustable cab, ensuring an optimal field of view in all working conditions. Fresh air is supplied to the cab via an integrated air filtration system, while additional lashing eyes on the undercarriage help stabilise the excavator on the pontoon. A load lug beneath the stick supports load lifting tasks, and operators benefit from the machine’s high level of precision, contributing to safe, efficient, and controlled operation. All adaptations were developed specifically to meet the customer’s operational requirements.
Liebherr special excavators: growing demand for electric drives
For more than 40 years, Liebherr-France SAS has been developing and manufacturing crawler excavators for special-purpose applications including selective dismantling, tunnelling, and material handling and transport. Increasingly, electrically driven alternatives to conventional diesel engines are playing an increasingly important role. These factory configured special machines are CE certified and are built in line with Liebherr’s stringent quality standards. Optimal spare part availability is also guaranteed, as is seamless factory configured special integration into working processes.
Experts in Dredging and Hydraulic Engineering
Ghent Dredging has been operating for nearly 50 years and is a recognised specialist in dredging and hydraulic engineering. Founded in 1976, the Belgian company employs around 50 people and has established itself as a trusted partner for marine and river projects, as well as work involving groundwater, surface water, and coastal environments. In addition to dredging and hydraulic engineering, Ghent Dredging’s expertise includes earthmoving, soil remediation, and sludge treatment. Supported by modern machinery and a highly skilled workforce, the company operates across Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, serving both public and private sector clients.
