SAL completed the transport of three ship-to-shore cranes from Cobh, Ireland, to Hamburg, Germany, using the heavy lift vessel Zhong Ren 122.
The move required close coordination from loading through discharge. Engineers from Liebherr Container Cranes supported the operation on site and followed each stage of the project to help maintain safe execution.
The voyage called for detailed planning, but the most demanding phase came after arrival in Hamburg. The discharge operation at the Port of Hamburg required stern-to-quay berthing, while vessel traffic on the Elbe was temporarily halted. Tidal conditions also affected the working schedule and added pressure to an already narrow operating window.
Every step had to be prepared in sequence. The work included vessel positioning, ramp installation for bringing the cranes ashore, and resetting the arrangement for the next move. Because time on site was limited, the operation depended on all teams completing their tasks at the required moment.
Port authorities managed river traffic and terminal teams prepared the berth. Specialist teams carried out SPMT work, removed sea fastenings, and readied the deck area. The JSI Alliance team and the crew of Zhong Ren 122 handled vessel shifting, mooring, and ballast operations to support the overall discharge process.
Zhong Ren 122 is 169 m long and 39.8 m wide, with a deadweight of 26,000 t. The vessel has a cargo deck area of 5,300 m2, deck strength of 25 t/m2, an average sailing speed of 12 knots, accommodation for up to 59 people, semi-submersible capability for floating cargo, and DP2 technology.
The project highlighted the level of planning, coordination, and specialist handling required for a complex heavy lift operation in Hamburg.
