The annual ESTA Awards of Excellence took place during Bauma week, on Thursday 10th April at The Westin Grand Munich, Germany.
The event was packed attracting around 450 guests celebrating the best of European lifting and transport projects, innovations, and safety developments.
The evening event took place following a productive day of crane and specialised transport meetings. ESTA was also hosting the 2025 ICSA (International Crane Stakeholders Assembly) meeting – which highlighted many parallels in the challenges facing lifting and abnormal transportation companies whether in Europe, Australia, North America or Asia.
There was, in particular, strong representation from the USA by the SC&RA and for Canada from Canadian Crane Rental Association (CCRA – formerly CRAC).
Indeed, CCRA executive director Claire Belanger-Parker was present with an expanded team of crane and transport specialists compared to when we reported on the Association at the end of 2021 (https://shorturl.at/ttoIJ ).
There was also representation from: Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM); The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA); FEM – European Materials Handling Federation; and the Japan Crane Association.
As you can see form the photos, the Awards themselves were a glamorous affair, attracting the great and the good of the industry.
The judging panel for the transport, safety, innovation, SPMT, and training categories comprised: Peter van Dam (Chair); John Dyne; Wim Kattouw; Wim Richie; Ambro Smit; and Michael FindeiB.
The judging panel for the cranes, combined techniques, safety, innovation, and training categories comprised: Willem Spek (Chair); Alfred Suter; Nils Lundgren; Fabio Potesta; Cor van Unen. The overall juror coordinators were Wim Richie and Gerard Bastiaansen.
The winners were as follows…
Telescopic cranes lifting capacity > 120 t
MJ van Riel BV
Van Riel used four cranes to install concrete girders for the new Hague Bridge at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands. The project faced time constraints, environmental challenges and space limitations and required advanced techniques such as a lifting triangle and a specially prepared foundation for crane positioning.
Cranes Lattice Boom
Sarens
Sarens handled massive Transition Pieces (750t each) and Monopiles (1,500t each) for the He Dreiht Offshore Wind Park in the Netherlands while managing complex client interfaces. They operated 24/7 and used high performance cranes, including LR12500-1.0 and CC9800. Sarens’ in-house 750t TP Handler enhanced efficiency and played a crucial role in maintaining the schedule.
Abnormal Transport Total mass ≤120 t
Ol-Trans
Ol-Trans came up with a unique solution for the transport of eight tanks, each weighing 76t and measuring 4.20m in height, from Bydgoszcz (Poland) to Elsteraue (Germany) – namely the use of a lift adapter trailer, normally used for wind turbine segments. This allowed the transport height to be adjusted to pass under viaducts and over roundabouts.
Abnormal Transport Total mass > 120 t
Allelys
Allelys moved critical energy infrastructure weighing up to 333 tonnes for three UK power stations, covering 22,000 miles. Using advanced technology and a wide range of specialist trailers and configurations, they navigated steep gradients, confined spaces and structural challenges. Careful coordination with over 25 stakeholders ensured safe and efficient delivery for a greener future.
Combined Techniques
Sarens
Sarens replaced the old Emile Hammerl bridge at Bettembourg railway station in Luxembourg with a new curved steel bowstring structure, debuting its CS250 tilting system. Manoeuvring massive sections through power cables without removing them, Sarens set a new benchmark in bridge installation, demonstrating engineering excellence, innovation and problem solving.
Safety
Liebherr-Werk Ehingen
Liebherr is equipping new mobile cranes with advanced driver assistance systems that increase road safety by detecting blind spots around the crane and signalling possible people in front of the crane. These Blind Spot Assist and Collision Prevention Systems, which are specially designed for cranes, comply with the latest EU safety regulations.
Innovation
Mammoet
Mammoet broke records by launching the world’s strongest land-based crane: the SK6000, a 6,000t lifting giant that, it says, redefines what’s possible in modular construction and ensures the future constructability of vital renewable energy installations.
SPMT|SPT
Wagenborg Nedlift
Using an ingenious combination of four SPMT sets, Wagenborg Nedlift installed a 156m-long railway bridge weighing 1080t across the River Lippe in Wesel, Germany.
Training
Yilnak Heavy Transport
The new Yılnak Academy transport training programme combines theoretical sessions with practical training. Classroom sessions use visual materials and interactive presentations, while hands-on training in real working environments covers equipment use, load safety and operational procedures. Guided by experts, participants gain industry-specific skills for seamless integration into the heavy transport sector.
