Liebherr Delivers 50th LS 250 Ship Crane to Briese Schiffahrt as Partnership Evolves

Liebherr has delivered its 50th LS 250 ship crane to German shipowner Briese Schiffahrt, marking a milestone in a partnership that has expanded steadily since 2014. The latest crane will be installed on the multipurpose vessel BBC Shanghai, which is expected to leave an Asian shipyard at the end of November.

The delivery reflects ongoing technical collaboration between the companies, particularly as the heavy-lift and project cargo segments adapt to evolving safety, efficiency and environmental requirements.

Long-Term Cooperation Anchored in Operational Performance

Since the first LS 250 was delivered more than a decade ago, the crane series has undergone several design refinements to meet changing market demands. Briese Schiffahrt says the cranes have offered “excellent deck coverage and a balanced combination of outreach and lifting capacities.”

“Our experience with Liebherr has been very positive. We are highly satisfied with the performance of the LS 250 ship cranes… Working with Liebherr has always been straightforward and reliable. We see Liebherr as a long-term partner and look forward to continuing this cooperation in the years ahead,” said Bernd Böning, Director Newbuilding at Briese Schiffahrt.

Liebherr’s role has included supporting Briese’s fleet development programmes, including the F-500 series and the newer LakerMax vessel design.

Design Changes Reflect Efficiency, Digitalisation and Space Optimisation

Over the years, Liebherr has redesigned the LS 250 with slimmer booms, tapered slewing columns and updated hydraulics to improve operational efficiency and reduce on-board space usage — a key factor for multipurpose vessels navigating constrained waterways such as the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

Key design developments include:

• A compact, space-efficient crane structure aligned with inland waterway regulations.
• A higher pivot point between boom and column, increasing usable deck space.
• A streamlined boom head for easier integration near deckhouses.
• An advanced reeving system routing the luffing rope through the boom centre for improved load handling.

On the LakerMax series, Liebherr extended the crane boom to 36 metres while maintaining a maximum lifting capacity of 250 tonnes at 18 metres. Hydraulic systems were also redesigned to use roughly half the hydraulic oil previously required. Flexible hoses in main hydraulic lines have been replaced with rigid piping to reduce maintenance needs and extend service life.

These changes contribute both to long-term operational efficiency and to reduced environmental impact through lower oil consumption and optimised energy use.

Digital Controls Enhance Safety and Energy Efficiency

The LS 250 now incorporates Liebherr’s Litronic control system, which provides real-time data, automated load-moment management and adaptive operating speeds. These digital features aim to reduce unnecessary energy consumption while improving safety and consistency during lifting operations.

“The delivery of the 50th LS 250 ship crane is more than a number. It reflects the strength of our collaboration with Briese Schiffahrt,” said Robert Pitschmann, Global Application Manager for Heavy Lift Offshore and Ship Cranes at Liebherr in Rostock. “Together, we’ve pushed boundaries in design and performance, building cranes that meet today’s operational demands and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.”

Industry Outlook: Efficiency and Sustainability Priorities

With environmental regulations tightening across global shipping routes, heavy-lift vessels are increasingly adopting equipment that reduces energy consumption, minimises hydraulic losses and supports digital monitoring. Liebherr’s progressive modifications to the LS 250 align with these trends, while Briese Schiffahrt continues to add fuel-efficient vessel designs to its fleet.

Both companies say ongoing collaboration will focus on further improvements in efficiency, sustainability and digital readiness, supported by Liebherr’s global service network.