Maritime Cranes

The Maritime Cranes division achieved sales of € 712 million in 2018. As such, it was down on last year's figure by € 8 million or 1.1 %.

Development compared to previous year*
Turnover in € m
from 720 		( - 1.1% ) 0
Investments in € m
from 80 		( - 11.3% ) 0
Employees
from 4,410 		( - 1.0% ) 0

Turnover by sales regions

  1. European Union
    35.1%
  2. North America
    14.0%
  3. Central and South America
    11.2%
  4. Non-EU countries
    10.0%
  5. Asia and Oceania
    15.5%
  6. Africa, Near and Middle East
    14.2%

Trend towards automated ports

During the reporting year, the global market for products from the Maritime Cranes division was largely stuck at around the same low level as the year before. There were somewhat positive developments, such as in the demand for reach stackers and in the offshore market, which has been invigorated by rising oil prices. In general, there is a clear trend towards digitalisation and automation.

In terms of specific regions, the division achieved favourable growth in North America, particularly in the US market. In Central and South America, on the other hand, sales were down. There were also positive developments in the regions Africa, Near and Middle East as well as in Asia and Oceania. Meanwhile, there has been a slight rise in sales in Europe, especially in Great Britain, Poland and France.

Liebherr maintained its position as global market leader for mobile harbour cranes despite a highly competitive market environment. There was growth in the product areas ship cranes and reach stackers, while sales were down for container cranes.

With the HLC 295000, Liebherr is currently producing the largest offshore crane in the company's history at the Rostock site.

Year of the heavy lift cranes

The heavy-lift cranes product line achieved great success in 2018. First, production began of the HLC 295000, the largest offshore crane ever, which will be delivered at the end of 2019. The division also received the order to supply a type HLC 150000 crane, which will be used on board a ship for applications such as dismantling offshore platforms.

To enable loading of such large cranes, Liebherr also began installing an extremely powerful, land-based heavy-lift crane of the type TCC 78000 at the Liebherr industrial terrain at the port of Rostock (Germany). Other companies will also be able to use the crane.

Alongside the Austrian Institute of Technology, the division researched assistance systems for use in autonomous cranes in 2018. Furthermore, it launched the LPS 420 E, the first purely electrical harbour portal crane. Liebherr also invested in a new distribution and service centre at the port of Hamburg (Germany). For 2019, the division predicts an increase in sales.

* Restatement first time adoption of IFRS 9 / 15 / 16.