Liebherr LHM 550 starts container handling at Patimban terminal

Liebherr LHM 550 gets container handling under way at Indonesia’s Patimban Global Gateway Terminal

A Liebherr LHM 550 mobile harbour crane, delivered in just three months, has started container handling at Indonesia’s new Patimban Global Gateway Terminal east of Jakarta, bridging the gap until the terminal’s ship-to-shore gantries arrive.

First lifts at Indonesia’s newest deep-sea terminal

Patimban Global Gateway Terminal (PGT) is operated by a consortium of Africa Global Logistics (part of the MSC Group), Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Samudera Group. The port development east of Jakarta is a national project intended to relieve congestion at Tanjung Priok and strengthen the region’s logistics capacity, with close ties to West Java’s manufacturing corridor and Indonesia’s automotive export strategy.

To get container operations running before the permanent quay equipment is in place, the consortium ordered an LHM 550 in a container-focused configuration. The crane offers up to 54 metres of outreach and, according to Liebherr, was delivered within an exceptionally short three-month timeframe, with early operator familiarisation, on-site commissioning support, tailored container handling equipment and an extended warranty included in the package.

Bridging the ramp-up phase

The mobile harbour crane lets first container services begin without waiting for the full complement of gantry cranes, and its mobility allows the terminal to adapt workflows as berth layouts evolve. Longer term, the machine is expected to support Indonesia’s domestic container and general cargo markets alongside the future ship-to-shore cranes. The terminal’s staged development plan foresees container capacity in the multi-million TEU range, with phased equipment arrivals through 2026 and beyond.

“Starting operations with equipment that can adapt as the terminal grows was essential for us. The crane gives us confidence that we can respond to operational requirements from the very first vessel.”

— Representative of Patimban Global Gateway Terminal

Service backing as the terminal scales

Liebherr says the LHM 550’s container configuration supports efficient cycles and stable handling across a range of vessel sizes, while local service backing and the group’s global spare parts network are intended to keep downtime to a minimum as volumes grow.

“Projects like Patimban show how closely we work with customers to align equipment, delivery schedules and long-term support. Our aim is to provide solutions that remain effective as terminals evolve.”

— Andreas Ritschel, General Manager Sales Mobile Harbour Cranes, Liebherr-Rostock GmbH