SSA Marine Boosts Hybrid Crane Fleet via $1.6M Grant to Decarbonize Port of Gulfport
Independent marine terminal operator and cargo-handler SSA Marine is commissioning a new hybrid mobile harbor crane as part of a $1.6 million state grant in Mississippi to support advanced electrical infrastructure.
In partnership with the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport (Port of Gulfport), the partners announced Thursday that the Liebherr LHM 550 crane will power the Port of Gulfport, bringing 124 metric tons of lift capacity for operations. Operating on electric power, this hybrid crane will be SSA Marine’s second in operation at the Port, according to a release.
“Adding a second LHM 550 at Gulfport expands our bulk handling capacity and allows us to continue delivering reliable, high-quality service to our customers,” said Greg Schruff, general manager of SSA Marine’s Port of Gulfport operations, in a statement.
This crane is produced by Liebherr, a German-Swiss equipment manufacturer, which has engineered the Liebherr LHM 550 to operate using a diesel-to-electric standard transition when directly connected to local grid infrastructure, contributing to zero-emission shore power. Liebherr claims its hybrid crane system reduces overall fuel costs in the process while contributing to lowering CO2 emissions.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund, as well as a partial match from SSA Marine, are financially enabling the electrical connection for the new mobile harbor crane and the expansion efforts of Mississippi’s cargo handling capabilities by modernizing terminal equipment.
State officials and SSA Marine explain that the crane’s use will mainly serve for loading bulk cargo for The Chemours Company, which has reportedly operated at a nearby manufacturing facility in DeLisle.
The chemical company uses ilmenite sand, a raw material needed to manufacture white titanium dioxide pigment (TiO₂)—which is widely used in paints and industrial coatings on automobiles and aircraft. SSA Marine’s crane will help Chemours move this sand at the port to supply its nearby production plant.
CEO and executive director Jon Nass of the Port states that together, these advancements improve overall efficiency and position Mississippi economically as a key gateway hub for north-south container and maritime operations supporting perishable imports and exports.
“This project demonstrates what can be achieved through strong public-private partnerships,” said Nass. “This crane allows us to better support existing customers while providing flexibility to better attract future business.”
Mississippi investments reflect a broader national trend toward decarbonizing maritime infrastructure, including New York's shift to renewable diesel for some of its NYC harbor vessels. These diverse state-level initiatives highlight a growing push to upgrade both fuel systems and electrified cargo-handling infrastructure, powering the next generation of U.S. port operations.
The Electrodes Less Traveled
Which Energy Technologies Contradict Conventional Paths
Free and New E-Book from EnergyTech.com
About the Author
EnergyTech Staff
Rod Walton is head of content for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 17 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.
Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.
He can be reached at [email protected].
EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids.
Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.