Liebherr R 938 Crawler Excavator Specially Produced for Ghent Dredging

• An excavator that was specially adapted for its application
• Liebherr has more than 40 years’ experience in developing special excavators
• Ghent Dredging: a major player in dredging and hydraulic engineering

At 6 a.m., the Liebherr R 938 crawler excavator starts work at Béthune river port. The excavator, developed and produced by Liebherr in Colmar (France), is deployed on its own GD I pontoon for dredging work on the inland canal in this northern French town. The 45-ton crawler excavator was specially adapted for this application.

Béthune (France), March 13, 2026 − For many years, Liebherr France SAS has been highly regarded for its factory-made special solutions tailored to individual customer requirements. For dredging operations in Béthune, northern France, Ghent Dredging uses a type R 938 Liebherr crawler excavator. The Belgian company selected the machine to benefit from Liebherr’s specialist expertise and the advantage of a one‑stop‑shop approach. While the Generation 8 R 938 is typically designed for earthmoving applications, this project called for a bespoke configuration, developed specifically to meet the demands of dredging work.

In 2025, Ghent Dredging further strengthened its fleet with the addition of two Liebherr R 938 crawler excavators. These investments reflect the company’s confidence in the performance and reliability of Liebherr machines, as well as in the quality of customer support provided by SOMPT Belgium. The successful collaboration between Liebherr and SOMPT highlights a shared commitment to building sustainable, long‑term partnerships, enabling customers to tackle complex and demanding projects with confidence.

Bespoke R 938 crawler excavator ensures optimal results

A distinguishing feature of the R 938 crawler excavator is its multi-user working attachments. The machine is equipped with a specially adapted boom and stick combination — an 8.7 m gooseneck boom and a 5.7 m stick — providing the necessary reach to the bottom of the canal. To guarantee optimal stability, the machine is equipped with an impressive 11.8 tonne counterweight.

Operator comfort and visibility were also key considerations. The R 938 features a hydraulically adjustable cab, ensuring an optimal field of view in all working conditions. Fresh air is supplied to the cab via an integrated air filtration system, while additional lashing eyes on the undercarriage help stabilise the excavator on the pontoon. A load lug beneath the stick supports load‑lifting tasks, and operators benefit from the machine’s high level of precision, contributing to safe, efficient, and controlled operation. All adaptations were developed specifically to meet the customer’s operational requirements.

Liebherr special excavators: growing demand for electric drives

For more than 40 years, Liebherr-France SAS has been developing and manufacturing crawler excavators for special-purpose applications including selective dismantling, tunnelling, and material handling and transport. Increasingly, electrically driven alternatives to conventional diesel engines are playing an increasingly important role. These factory‑configured special machines are CE certified and are built in line with Liebherr’s stringent quality standards. Optimal spare part availability is also guaranteed, as is seamless factory‑configured special integration into working processes.

Experts in Dredging and Hydraulic Engineering

Ghent Dredging has been operating for nearly 50 years and is a recognised specialist in dredging and hydraulic engineering. Founded in 1976, the Belgian company employs around 50 people and has established itself as a trusted partner for marine and river projects, as well as work involving groundwater, surface water, and coastal environments. In addition to dredging and hydraulic engineering, Ghent Dredging’s expertise includes earthmoving, soil remediation, and sludge treatment. Supported by modern machinery and a highly skilled workforce, the company operates across Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, serving both public and private sector clients.

About Liebherr-France SAS

Liebherr-France SAS, founded in 1961, is responsible for the development and production of crawler excavators for the Liebherr Group of companies in Colmar, France. The current product range includes around 30 crawler excavator models, from the R 914 Compact to the R 998 SME, for use in earthmoving work and quarries. Its products also include a range of machines for special tasks such as demolition, material handling and maritime/tunnel applications, as well as large-capacity electric excavators. Crawler excavators with an operating weight of 14 to 100 tonnes are equipped with Liebherr engines with 90 to 420 kW output. Liebherr-France SAS employs more than 1,250 people and generates a turnover of EUR 534 million.

About the Liebherr Group

The Liebherr Group is a family-run technology company with a highly diversified product programme. The company is one of the largest construction equipment manufacturers in the world. It also provides high-quality, user-oriented products and services in a wide range of other areas. The Liebherr Group includes over 150 companies across all continents. In 2024, it employed more than 50,000 staff and achieved combined revenues of over 14 billion euros. Liebherr was founded by Hans Liebherr in 1949 in the southern German town of Kirchdorf an der Iller. Since then, the employees have been pursuing the goal of achieving continuous technological innovation, and bringing industry-leading solutions to its customers.  www.liebherr.com