50 years of MHC in the Americas
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50 years of Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes in the Americas

Milestones of a lasting success story

Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes and the Americas: What started 50 years ago has slowly, but steadily turned into a lasting success story. Since 1971, some hundreds of cranes have been successfully in operation between Canada and Chile, two of which even marked innovative world debuts.

1971 – Start in the north of North America

The success story started in the north of the North American continent. In 1971, the first mobile harbor crane from Düsseldorf crossed the Atlantic. This HMK 250 E crane was delivered to Toronto, Canada where it was in operation until the turn of the millennium.

 1971 - MHC Canada

1981 – First cranes for South America

The next cranes for the Americas were delivered in 1981. They also stood for another novelty: the two HMK 170 H cranes were delivered to Chile where Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes gained a foothold in South America for the first time.

  

1993 – Home in all the markets of the Americas

From 1993 onwards, things were constantly in motion. Numerous mobile harbor cranes have since been supplied every year. Over the decades, Konecranes has captured the North, South and Central American markets from Canada down to Chile – from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

  

1998 – The first portal harbor crane ever

The American market has also been the stage for two debuts. A significant milestone in innovation was reached in 1998 when the first Konecranes Gottwald Portal Harbor Crane ever was delivered to Convent, Louisiana.

 1998 - HSK USA

2004 – The very first cranes on barge

In 2004, a second milestone was reached when the very first crane on barge was put into operation on the Mississippi in Convent, Louisiana. Seventeen years later, some 30 cranes on barge alone are in operation on the Mississippi River.

 2004 - HPK USA

2010 – Twenty new cranes for the Americas

2010 marked a record: Twenty new mobile harbor cranes went into terminals across the Americas. On average, more than 11 cranes a year have been delivered to customers in the Americas since the turn of the millennium.

  

2021 – Order from Canada celebrates the first 50 years

In summer 2021, Konecranes is celebrating 50 years of success with a repeated order from Canada. This customer relies on Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes at several of its terminals in the Americas.

  

Generation 6 – a solid base to continue the success story

Times have, of course, changed since 1971, and so have Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes. They have evolved more than once in the past five decades and are currently in their sixth generation. What hasn’t changed: At Konecranes, we keep an eye on the markets and emerging needs for our customers. Terminal operators appreciate the performance, reliability and robustness of the equipment, which explains the success of our Mobile Harbor Cranes technology – in the Americas and in the rest of the world.

Related news:

Brazilian terminal orders very first Generation 6 Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes to increase capacity and competitiveness

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Related Industries:
Break bulk & general cargo
Resource type:
Article
Related Products:
Mobile harbor cranes