The mobile harbor crane builder Liebherr has finalized the electrification of a previously supplied crane to the Port of Los Angeles. Liebherr worked with SA Recycling at the Port of Los Angeles to upgrade the crane to a fully electric mobile harbor crane. Rory McBride, sales manager maritime equipment for Liebherr U.S.A., told AJOT that the Liebherr LHM 550 is a 144-ton machine with a 54-meter boom utilizing a innovative skid pan configuration. This allows the crane to be very efficient in handling scrap metal. The LHM 550 is very energy and cost efficient relative to traditional scrap handling cranes operating in the United States. For example, the LHM 550 can lift upwards of 62 tons in one move. The crane is also one of the greenest cranes because it is electric powered. The SA Recycling facility at the Port of Los Angeles has benefitted from eliminating diesel emissions and noise as well as sporting a brand new, state-of-the art mobile harbor crane at the Port of Los Angeles, McBride said. In a release the Port of Los Angeles said: “The new crane will be used to load processed metals onto vessels to be shipped overseas. Replacing a 950-horsepower diesel-powered “Tier 2” crane, the newly installed “Tier 4” engine will eliminate 74 tons of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), three tons of particulate matter (PM), three tons of hydrocarbons (HC), and 14 tons of carbon monoxide (CO) emissions over the life of the equipment. The electric engine will also result in additional reductions in both greenhouse gases (GHG) and noise.” The project is being funded in part by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) $1.3 million Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant to the City of Los Angeles Harbor Department. The remaining cost of the $5 million crane replacement project is being funded by SA Recycling, which will own, operate and maintain the crane at the Port. This project is in alignment with EPA’s plan to reduce emissions from diesel fleets and thereby reduce the local air pollution. “In light of SA Recycling’s continued contributions toward preservation of the environment we are pleased to take this positive step forward,” said Terry Adams, executive vice president of SA Recycling. “Our investment in this crane is an investment in the community and our employees, which we celebrate.” “Replacing older equipment with new greener technology is one of many strategies that the Port and our customers are pursuing to improve air quality in our surrounding communities and greater Los Angeles air basin,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “This project is also a great example of how public-private partnerships can be leveraged to make air quality improvements happen.”