Liebherr targets evolving logistics demands

Namibia is becoming an increasingly important growth market for Liebherr. This, as the company continues to strengthen its position as a preferred equipment supplier to the country’s maritime, construction and mining sectors. According to Darren Jankelow, head of sales for maritime cranes and construction machines at Liebherr-Africa, the company’s portfolio spans maritime cranes, mobile and crawler cranes, deep foundation equipment, piling rigs, dragline machines, heavy-duty cycle cranes, mining and earthmoving equipment, refrigeration and freezing systems, tower cranes and concrete technology. “Our equipment is recognised for its versatility, durability and high-performance capability,” he said. “Across Namibia, Liebherr machines have contributed directly to improved efficiency, operational continuity and increased competitiveness for our customers. “This reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering advanced solutions that support the growth of the region’s maritime, construction and mining infrastructure.” Jankelow said few brands could demonstrate the depth of local experience that Liebherr had built in Namibia. The company has supplied crane solutions to the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) for almost three decades, a relationship that began in 1997 with the delivery and commissioning of the first Liebherr mobile harbour crane at Walvis Bay. Today, the Namport fleet includes eight Liebherr mobile harbour cranes and two Liebherr reach stackers operating in the Port of Walvis Bay, as well as two mobile harbour cranes in the Port of Lüderitz. Transworld Cargo in Walvis Bay also operates a Liebherr reach stacker, further reinforcing the company’s footprint in the country’s logistics chain. “Longevity of this kind doesn’t happen by chance,” said Jankelow. “It is the result of consistent performance, dependable support and a willingness to tailor solutions to real operational requirements.” It is a philosophy that underpins the crane manufacturer’s approach across the region. Beyond supplying equipment, the company provides comprehensive lifecycle support, including 24/7 technical assistance, operator and technical training, and the local availability of genuine spare parts. This integrated support structure is designed to minimise downtime, protect capital investment and provide customers with operational certainty – often the most valuable currency in high- throughput environments such as ports. “Our partnerships are built on trust and collaboration,” said Jankelow. “We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every operation is different and our role is to understand those challenges and engineer solutions that perform reliably over decades, not just at commissioning.” He said Liebherr had successfully delivered and commissioned hundreds of machines across the continent, operating in some of Africa’s most demanding port, construction and mining environments. “These installations are not simply transactions; they are long-term partnerships built on proven performance and trust,” said Jankelow. Looking ahead, as global maritime and industrial operations evolve, the demand for faster, smarter and more reliable equipment is expected to continue growing. But, according to Jankelow, equipment capability alone is no longer enough. “As a business, we are advancing far beyond traditional crane manufacturing. The company now integrates state- of-the-art machinery with advanced digital technologies, LiSIM crane simulators, data analytics and operational expertise to optimise productivity and efficiency worldwide,” he said. “Customers want confidence – in technology, in support and in the partner standing behind the machine.” LV