SSA Marine and Port of Gulfport Install Liebherr Hybrid Mobile Crane

SSA Marine and the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport announced the commissioning of a new Liebherr LHM 550 hybrid mobile harbor crane, along with a $1.6 million state grant that will enable the crane's electrification.

The crane has a lifting capacity of 124 metric tons and will be SSA Marine's second LHM 550 in operation at the Port of Gulfport. The crane operates with a hybrid propulsion system, and the Port and SSA Marine are collaborating to install the electrical infrastructure that will allow it to run on electric power.

"The addition of a second LHM 550 in Gulfport expands our bulk cargo handling capacity and allows us to continue providing reliable, high-quality service to our customers. This progress is the result of close collaboration with the Port and reflects our long-term commitment to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and SSA Marine's broader sustainability goals," stated Greg Schruff, General Manager of SSA Marine's operations at the Port of Gulfport.

The $1.6 million grant was awarded to the Port through the Mississippi Department of Transportation's Strategic Multimodal Investments Fund, which, along with a partial match from SSA Marine, will fund the electrical connection for the Port's new mobile crane.

"This project demonstrates what can be achieved through strong public-private partnerships. We appreciate SSA Marine's continued investment in the Port of Gulfport and are grateful to the Mississippi Department of Transportation for their support in funding the electrical infrastructure for this crane. This crane allows us to better serve our current customers while offering us flexibility to attract new business. Together, these investments strengthen our Port, improve efficiency, and position Gulfport for continued growth," affirmed Jon Nass, Executive Director of the Port of Gulfport.

The crane's primary use will be for handling bulk cargo for The Chemours Company, specifically the transfer of ilmenite sand, a raw material used to produce white titanium dioxide. Chemours has operated a nearby manufacturing plant in DeLisle, Mississippi, for over four decades. The additional capacity provided by the crane ensures the safe handling of Chemours' cargo.

The hybrid crane and accompanying grant are part of SSA Marine's and the Port's ongoing investment to expand cargo handling capacity and modernize terminal equipment.