dship Carriers, a global shipping company based in Hamburg, Germany, is upgrading its fleet with eight new LS 250 heavy-lift ship cranes from German manufacturer Liebherr. The cranes are expected to be delivered in 2026 and installed on four of dship’s latest D 500 class vessels.
Each LS 250 crane can lift up to 250 tonnes and has a maximum outreach of 36 metres, making it suitable for handling large and heavy cargo. Despite its strength, the crane’s relatively low weight (150 tonnes) helps maintain ship stability and improves efficiency during operations. The design also meets St. Lawrence Seaway regulations, allowing these vessels to navigate between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
Manufactured at Liebherr’s site in Rostock, Germany, the cranes are built to withstand tough maritime conditions. They feature an enclosed column to protect internal components and a simplified hydraulic system that reduces maintenance needs. Liebherr’s in-house control system, Litronic, provides real-time performance data, helping operators handle cargo with speed and precision.
dship and Liebherr have worked together since 2019. This new order follows the deployment of four F 500 class ships, which already use the LS 250 cranes. With this new batch, dship will now have at least eight vessels equipped with Liebherr’s heavy-lift technology.
Both companies highlighted the success of their collaboration. Lars Feller, CEO of dship Carriers, cited Liebherr’s reliable technology and global support network as key reasons for the ongoing partnership. Liebherr’s Hamburg branch will also handle service and maintenance of the cranes once they’re operational.