Coleman’s Liebherr goes to see New Zealand

UK contractor Coleman & Company dispatched its 65 m (214 ft) Kocurek-modified Liebherr 984C high reach in late August to New Zealand to take part in the clearance of earthquake debris in Christchurch. This first export charter of the company's equipment includes an operator, with the transport organised by Abnormal Load Services (International) Ltd's project team based in Hull, UK.

The machine, dispatched on a specially chartered vessel from Hull, is expected to arrive in Lyttleton Port, Christchurch, in mid-October, and on its arrival it is believed it will be the largest high reach operating in the southern hemisphere.

ALS carried out a pre-shipment survey while the Liebherr was at work on its final UK contract. Given the time-sensitive nature of the shipment of the machine and the fact that the only available heavy lift vessel did not have sufficient craneage to lift the machine itself and a roll on-roll off option was not possible, the ALS team suggested that the main carrier be split in two.

All told, the package consisted of eight sections, all of which were lifted on board by the vessel's cranes, despite challenging wind conditions during the tandem lifts, with no damage being caused.