Liebherr Completes STS Crane Raise at The Port of Grangemouth
- Meagan Wood
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
30-Second Takeaway
Liebherr has successfully completed a 2.2-metre crane raise on two ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes at The Port of Grangemouth, Scotland’s largest container terminal. Delivered by Liebherr Transform, the on-rail upgrade was executed in just six weeks per crane, enabling higher container stacks and larger straddle carriers while extending crane service life in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.
Liebherr STS Crane Raise at The Port of Grangemouth
Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. has announced the successful completion of a major STS crane raise project at Forth Ports Grangemouth.
Two ship-to-shore gantry cranes, originally delivered in 2006, have undergone a Liebherr Transform lift height upgrade, increasing their height by 2.2 metres. The Port of Grangemouth operates three Liebherr STS cranes in total one delivered in 2018 and two delivered in 2006 all designed with advanced safety and performance systems.The upgrade ensures the continued competitiveness of Scotland’s largest container terminal, which handles over 250,000 TEU annually.
Ship-to-Shore Crane Upgrade for Modern Container Operations
The port has experienced evolving operational requirements driven by:
Increasing container volumes
Higher container stack configurations
Introduction of larger, next-generation straddle carriers
Greater demand for operational flexibility
To accommodate these changes, additional clearance beneath the STS cranes was required to maintain safe and efficient yard operations.
The 2.2-metre crane raise provides the necessary lift height to support taller container stacks and new straddle carrier dimensions without requiring full crane replacement.
Crucially, both cranes remained on-rail throughout the project, ensuring minimal operational disruption a critical factor for a high-throughput terminal.
Each crane was successfully raised within six weeks, demonstrating Liebherr’s capacity to deliver complex structural upgrades within tight operational windows.
Futureproofing Scotland’s Largest Container Terminal
Craig Torrance, Asset Manager at The Port of Grangemouth, commented:
“Our crane upgrade is a significant step forward as we ensure that we future proof our container operations for our customers. The ability to handle higher container stacks and larger straddle carriers at the terminal ensures we remain competitive and efficient in a fast-changing market. Our partnership with Liebherr is a success and we are grateful to the team who delivered the project with minimal disruption, which was critical for our operations.”
By extending the vertical envelope of the cranes, the port can now optimise yard density and improve container stacking strategies without expanding physical footprint — a major advantage in constrained port environments.
Sustainable Lifecycle Extension Through Liebherr Transform
Liebherr Transform
The project was delivered under Liebherr Transform, Liebherr’s dedicated crane upgrade and modification programme.
Rather than replacing the existing cranes a capital-intensive and time-consuming process the crane raise provided a sustainable lifecycle extension solution.
Oran Kane, Global Manager Upgrades at Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd., stated:
“This project highlights the value of Liebherr Transform. Rather than replacing the existing cranes, we helped to unlock new capabilities and extend the crane service life. It’s a cost-effective, sustainable solution that delivers long-term value for Forth Ports Grangemouth.”
Key benefits of the crane raise include:
Extended operational lifespan
Improved asset utilisation
Reduced capital expenditure compared to new crane procurement
Lower environmental impact through equipment retention
Enhanced container handling performance
Ports worldwide face mounting pressure to increase productivity while reducing costs and minimising downtime. Crane modification and upgrade strategies are increasingly viewed as a practical path toward performance optimisation without full asset replacement.
Engineering Innovation with Minimal Disruption
The on-rail methodology used during the crane raise ensured:
Continuous rail alignment
Controlled lifting and structural integration
Maintained structural integrity
Limited interference with adjacent terminal operations
The successful completion of both crane raises within defined timeframes highlights Liebherr’s expertise in complex STS crane structural modifications.
The entire crane raise project was captured on camera, showcasing the precision engineering and coordination required to execute such upgrades within an active terminal environment.
Enhancing Long-Term Competitiveness
With global container shipping evolving toward greater efficiency and throughput demands, ports must continually adapt their infrastructure.
The Grangemouth upgrade demonstrates how strategic container crane modernisation can:
Improve yard productivity
Increase stack height capacity
Support next-generation handling equipment
Strengthen competitive positioning
By investing in crane modernisation rather than replacement, The Port of Grangemouth reinforces its operational resilience and long-term sustainability strategy.
About Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd.
Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd., based in Killarney, Ireland, specialises in the design and manufacture of ship-to-shore container cranes, rubber-tyred gantry cranes and rail-mounted gantry cranes. The company is a global leader in container handling solutions and lifecycle crane upgrades through the Liebherr Transform programme.
Website: https://www.liebherr.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What was completed at The Port of Grangemouth?
Two Liebherr ship-to-shore (STS) cranes were raised by 2.2 metres to accommodate higher container stacks and larger straddle carriers.
How long did the crane raise take?
Each crane raise was completed in just six weeks while the cranes remained on rail.
Why was the crane raise necessary?
Operational changes, including higher container stacks and larger straddle carriers, required increased clearance beneath the cranes.
What is Liebherr Transform?
Liebherr Transform is Liebherr’s upgrade and modification service that enhances crane performance, extends service life and improves sustainability without full replacement.
How does this upgrade benefit the port?
The project futureproofs container handling operations, extends crane lifespan and provides a cost-effective, sustainable solution for long-term competitiveness.
