Twice the power for port handling

Rostocker Fracht- und Fischereihafen GmbH (RFH) is a leading company in the port industry in Rostock, Germany. With its ideal location on the western bank of the Warnow and optimal connections to the Baltic Sea as well as the inland road and rail network, Rostocker Fracht- und Fischereihafen GmbH, the second largest port operator in the city, is a central hub for goods traffic and logistics.

The company's history stretches back more than 70 years. As the former site of the VEB Fischkombinat, it played an important role in the former GDR. Since reunification, the port has successfully repositioned itself and evolved into a modern and efficient industrial and logistics location with an agile business park.

With around 70 employees, the port is now working to optimise its business and handling processes as well as property management via the close integration of innovative technologies.

Rostocker Fracht- und Fischereihafen (RFH) recorded a cargo turnover of around 900,000 tonnes in 2022, which corresponds to a monthly average of around 70,000 – 80,000 tonnes. The company has to meet a variety of special requirements in the port industry, not least by efficiently handling a wide variety of goods within a given time frame, including bulk and general cargo such as fertiliser, grain, building materials and timber, as well as project cargo. This is where its specific material handling equipment and attachments come into play. Another important factor is the minimisation of the ships' lay times in order to keep precisely to the schedule – a smooth unloading and loading process is of great importance here.

In order to master these special tasks, RFH opted to purchase its second LH 110 M High Rise Port handling machine. When making this investment, special attention was paid to increasing the height of the tower superstructure to three metres and increasing the reach with a working attachment to 27 metres. This allows optimal loading and unloading of wider and deeper vessels.

The decision to purchase a second handling machine was influenced by several key factors. First and foremost, the machine's high efficiency and cost-effectiveness are impressive. With its excellent performance, it enables fast handling of massive quantities of goods. This results in increased productivity and optimised work processes.

Another decisive aspect is the modern workplace that the machine offers. The hydraulically controlled, height-adjustable double-articulated cab and the generous glass surfaces ensure a perfect view of the entire working environment, which increases both safety and precision during operation. Especially in the immediate vicinity of the quay, low noise is of great importance. The machine scores here thanks to its low-emission engine technology, which results in quiet operation – this creates a pleasant working atmosphere and at the same time minimises noise pollution in the surrounding area. An additional selling point is the standard, innovative Liebherr energy recovery system (ERC system). This technology increases system performance, provides increased handling capacity and at the same time leads to energy savings of up to 30%.

Besides the various technical features, the excellent service provided by the Liebherr sales and service partner in Rostock also played a major role in the company's purchase decision. The partner's nearby location and comprehensive expertise directly on site ensure optimal support for all concerns and requirements.

The LH 110 M High Rise Port is mainly used for timber handling and features the high-performance Liebherr GMH 50 wood grab with a surface area of up to 2.8 m². Combined with its versatility and Liebherr's wide range of attachments, the machine offers a flexible, performance-oriented and economical solution to easily and safely meet the diverse challenges of port handling.