By the thousands

11 January 2021

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At the end of 2020, Mammoet launched the 6,000t-capacity SK6,000, which the company says will allow for the construction of bigger FSPO and FLNG modules onshore. This was the second launch of a machine with a capacity exceeding 1,000t within a period of few weeks.

Earlier, Sarens introduced its SGC-90 ring crane to the market, with a maximum capacity of 1,650t and a load moment of 99,000tm. As the SGC-90 is ready for its first job, Carl Sarens and Tom Derveaux spoke to Cranes Today about the process of developing the new ring crane. As possible applications for the SGC-90, Sarens cites nuclear, logistics, construction and offshore projects.

These are some of the applications that have kept demand for heavy lifts high over the years. Another market player supplying cranes for such jobs is Lampson International. The company developed its own Transi-Lift cranes to meet the demand for lifting capacities up to 3,000USt. On page 30, you will find an interview with Kate Lampson, who talks about the evolution of these cranes as well as market trends. One application where she found increased demand for high capacity cranes is for onshore wind turbine installations; adding that they have even deployed their Transi-Lift LTL-1100 for such a project.

Onshore wind turbines have been getting larger and heavier over the years. The cranes being used for their installation have changed, with now large crawler cranes being deployed for these jobs. The crane manufacturers have also enhanced the technology of their machines in order to accommodate for the requirements of this sector. These points are analysed more extensively in the relevant feature, alongside case studies and a discussion as to whether the crane sector is ready for even larger capacities.

Apart from crawlers, other mobile cranes are also used for these jobs, either for offloading components, maintenance or smaller turbine installations. Talking about mobile cranes; in December, Liebherr-Werk Ehingen delivered its 40,000th mobile crane!

In the same month, Liebherr-Werk Nenzing unveiled the 200t LR 1200.1 unplugged and the 250t LR 1250.1 unplugged, which it calls the world’s first battery-powered crawler cranes.