SAL Adds Two Liebherr LS 800 Electric Ship Cranes aboard MV Patricia

30-Second Takeaway

SAL, part of the Harren Group, has taken delivery of MV Patricia with two 800-tonne Liebherr LS 800 E ship cranes. The all-electric units provide up to 1,600 tonnes of tandem lifting capacity and feature energy recovery, Litronic controls and Master V control technology. The vessel is the third delivered ship in SAL’s Orca Class newbuilding programme and was christened at Liebherr’s Rostock facility.

Twin 800-Tonne Cranes for Heavy-Lift Cargo

German shipping company SAL has added two all-electric Liebherr LS 800 E ship cranes to its fleet through the delivery of MV Patricia. Each crane has a maximum lifting capacity of 800 tonnes. Operating together, the pair can handle loads weighing up to 1,600 tonnes, subject to the applicable lifting configuration and operating conditions.

The cranes form the vessel’s principal cargo-handling system, supporting the loading and discharge of heavy project components. SAL developed the Orca Class for heavy-lift, offshore, renewable-energy and industrial transport work, with cargo arrangements adaptable to individual shipments.

Inside the All-Electric Liebherr LS 800 E

Introduced in 2022, the LS 800 E uses an all-electric drive concept designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions associated with cargo handling. The designation identifies the manufacturer and application: “L” represents Liebherr, “S” identifies a ship crane, “800” indicates its maximum capacity in tonnes, and “E” identifies the electric drive.

Liebherr designed the crane with a compact arrangement to simplify vessel integration and improve the use of space below deck. Key components are developed or sourced within the Liebherr Group and positioned within the crane structure.

The model’s equipment features include removable tugger winches, a maintenance platform, a maintenance hatch, a hook garage and non-corrosive polyamide rope pulleys. These provisions support load handling, equipment access and onboard storage in a maritime environment.

Energy Recovery and Vessel Power Integration

The two cranes communicate with MV Patricia’s power-management system, allowing their electricity demand to be coordinated with other onboard equipment. Energy recovered during certain crane movements can return to the ship’s electrical network for storage and reuse when demand increases. The arrangement is intended to make better use of available onboard power and reduce fuel consumption and associated CO₂ emissions during cargo-handling cycles.

The electric crane drives are part of the vessel’s wider energy system. Their operation therefore depends on the ship’s available power supply and the coordination of simultaneous onboard demands.

Master V and Litronic Crane Controls

The LS 800 E cranes incorporate Liebherr’s Master V control unit, providing computing capacity for rapid data processing and a platform for future assistance systems and semi-automated applications. Liebherr’s Litronic control system supports precise load movements. Combined with the electrical drives, it provides the control architecture needed for handling heavy cargo aboard the vessel.

The integration covers more than the cranes themselves. During development of the Orca Class, Liebherr worked with the vessel designers on crane installation, electrical architecture and control functions, while SAL contributed its experience in complex project shipping.

Orca Class Designed for Demanding Project Cargo

MV Patricia is the third delivered vessel in SAL’s Orca Class newbuilding programme.

The class combines twin 800-tonne cranes with a box-shaped cargo hold measuring approximately 107 metres long, 18.5 metres wide and 13.3 metres high. The hold geometry supports the stowage of long, wide and tall project cargo, while the vessel arrangement provides flexibility across different shipment types.

SAL identifies a hybrid drive, shore-power capability and a methanol-ready vessel and engine concept among the class features. Its published maximum speed is 18.5 knots. These are class specifications, with individual vessel particulars subject to variation.

Martin Harren, owner and chief executive of the Harren Group, said the Orca Class was conceived to serve the next three decades of heavy-lift shipping, with the flexibility, efficiency and performance needed for customers’ changing projects.

MV Patricia Christened in Rostock

Patricia Rüf, a member of the administrative board at Liebherr-International AG, served as the vessel’s godmother and formally named MV Patricia during a ceremony at Liebherr’s maritime crane facility in Rostock, Germany.

The event brought together SAL and Liebherr colleagues, customers, partners and the vessel’s crew. The naming recognised the longstanding relationship between the companies and their cooperation on the Orca Class programme.

Following the christening, the vessel’s announced departure cargo included a Liebherr LHM 800 mobile harbour crane destined for Luanda, Angola, and an LPS 550 portal crane bound for Casablanca, Morocco.

About SAL

Founded in 1980, SAL is a Hamburg-based shipping company specialising in heavy-lift and project cargo transportation. Part of the Harren Group since 2017, its services include heavy lifting and transport, multipurpose shipping, offshore operations, Americas liner services, dry-bulk transport and engineering.

SAL combines vessel operations with in-house engineering, cargo planning and project execution capabilities. It is a member of the JSI Alliance alongside Jumbo Shipping and SAL Intermarine, providing coordinated heavy-lift and project shipping services worldwide.

Website: www.sal.global

About Liebherr

Liebherr is a family-owned equipment and technology group serving construction, lifting, mining, maritime and other industrial markets. Its lifting equipment portfolio includes mobile and crawler cranes, tower cranes, ship cranes, offshore cranes and port cargo-handling systems.

Liebherr’s maritime crane operations supply equipment for shipboard lifting, offshore applications and terminal operations. The portfolio includes the LS series of heavy-lift ship cranes, mobile harbour cranes and portal crane systems. Liebherr-Rostock GmbH supports the maritime business through its facility in Rostock, Germany.

Website: www.liebherr.com

FAQ

Which cranes are installed aboard MV Patricia?

The vessel has two all-electric Liebherr LS 800 E ship cranes, each with a maximum lifting capacity of 800 tonnes.

What is their combined lifting capacity?

The cranes can lift up to 1,600 tonnes in tandem under the defined operating conditions.

How do the cranes recover energy?

Energy recovered during certain crane movements can be returned to the vessel’s electrical network, stored and reused.

What control technology do the cranes use?

The cranes incorporate Liebherr’s Master V control unit and Litronic control system.

Who is MV Patricia named after?

The vessel is named after Patricia Rüf, a member of the administrative board at Liebherr-International AG, who served as its godmother.