Two container cranes have been dismantled at the Port of Casablanca as part of a terminal modernisation project, with the work carried out while the port continued operating.
Moroccan heavy lift company Somalev Cranes & Logistics completed the project using two telescopic cranes built by Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH. The cranes used were an LTM 1400-7.1 and an LTM 1250/1.
The project involved dismantling more than 1,400 tonnes of steel structure from two ship-to-shore container cranes. Lifts reached heights of up to 70 metres and required detailed planning because the work took place in an active terminal with limited space.
The telescopic cranes were chosen for their load capacity and flexibility in confined port areas. They allowed Somalev to dismantle the cranes step by step, including boom sections, the machinery house and portal elements. The company chose telescopic cranes instead of lattice boom cranes to better manage changing load conditions and restricted space on site.
The work also presented technical and operational challenges. The age of the container cranes meant conservative load assumptions were required, along with reinforced rigging solutions. The team had to coordinate closely with port authorities and terminal operations while maintaining defined exclusion zones during the lifts.
The dismantling process followed the reverse order of the original assembly. Different crane configurations and rigging arrangements were needed throughout the project, and several phases required synchronised lifting operations between the two cranes. This demanded detailed planning and constant communication between crews.
Safety was a major focus during the project. Somalev carried out project-specific risk assessments of damaged components, used redundant rigging systems and closely monitored wind conditions and crane performance. The company also adjusted crane configurations to minimise the space required and reduce disruption to port activities.
The project was completed successfully, highlighting Somalev’s experience in industrial decommissioning work and the reliability of Liebherr cranes.
Liebherr Group is a family-run technology company and one of the world’s largest construction machinery manufacturers. It operates more than 150 companies worldwide and employs over 50,000 people.