Gulfport Hybrid Crane
SSA Marine and Port of Gulfport Commission New Hybrid Crane with $1.6M State Electrification Grant
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SSA Marine and the Port of Gulfport have commissioned a new Liebherr LHM 550 hybrid mobile harbor crane, backed by $1.6 million in state grant funding for its electrification, according to Woodstock Sentinel Review. The grant came from Mississippi's Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund, with a partial match from SSA Marine.
The crane can lift up to 124 metric tons and will be SSA Marine's second LHM 550 in service at Gulfport. Its main job will be moving ilmenite sand — a raw material used to make white titanium dioxide pigment — for The Chemours Company, The Whig reported.
State Funding Drives Crane Electrification at Gulfport
Mississippi's Department of Transportation awarded the $1.6 million grant through its Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund. SSA Marine added a partial funding match to complete the project. The money went specifically toward electrifying the crane — meaning it can run on electric power rather than relying solely on diesel, according to Brantford Expositor.
Hybrid cranes like the LHM 550 use a combination of electric and diesel power. That reduces fuel costs and lowers emissions during port operations. Electrification upgrades are becoming more common at U.S. ports as terminals look to cut their carbon footprint, Shore Line Beacon noted.
Crane to Handle Ilmenite Sand for Chemours
The new crane's primary task is bulk cargo handling for The Chemours Company. It will move ilmenite sand on and off ships at Gulfport. Ilmenite sand is a key raw material used to produce titanium dioxide — the white pigment found in paints, plastics, and paper, according to Goderich Signal Star.
Chemours is one of the world's largest producers of titanium dioxide. Having dedicated crane capacity at Gulfport gives the company a reliable, efficient way to move this bulk material through the port. The LHM 550's 124-metric-ton lift capacity makes it well-suited for heavy bulk cargo work, Hanna Herald reported.
Second LHM 550 Strengthens SSA Marine's Gulfport Fleet
This crane is SSA Marine's second Liebherr LHM 550 at the Port of Gulfport. Adding a second unit boosts the terminal's ability to handle more cargo at the same time. It also provides backup capacity if one crane goes offline for maintenance, according to Pembroke Observer.
The Liebherr LHM 550 is one of the largest mobile harbor cranes on the market. Its flexibility is a major selling point — it can handle containers, bulk goods, and heavy lifts without being fixed to a single berth, Mitchell Advocate noted.
Public-Private Partnership Cited as Model for Port Growth
Port CEO Jon Nass said the project shows "what can be achieved through strong public-private partnerships." The combination of state grant money and private investment from SSA Marine made the electrification possible. Without both pieces, the upgrade likely would not have happened, according to Owen Sound Sun Times.
The Port of Gulfport has been expanding its cargo capabilities in recent years. Projects like this one — where state infrastructure funds blend with private terminal investment — are increasingly seen as a template for modernizing U.S. port facilities, Crag and Canyon reported.
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