Work has begun on a £3.1 million refurbishment of the iconic Harland & Wolff cranes in Belfast, which will prepare them for their busiest period in years. The yellow gantry cranes, known as Samson and Goliath, are being modernised by owners Navantia UK.
Extensive refurbishment plans
The project involves overhauling the engines of both cranes and replacing their catenary cables, which supply them with power. Engineers will also carry out structural and electrical repairs on both cranes.
Work has already started on Goliath, the older of the two cranes, which was built in 1969 and stands 96 metres tall. Once complete, the refurbishment will move to Samson, which is closer to the sea and was installed in 1974 with a height of 106 metres.
Key role in shipbuilding
Each crane is capable of lifting 840 tonnes, the equivalent of four Boeing 747 jumbo jets. The work on Samson and Goliath is part of a £98.5 million recapitalisation of Harland & Wolff Belfast, which will prepare the yard for naval and commercial shipbuilding projects.
Harland & Wolff has begun a programme to build three fleet solid support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which will provide supplies to naval ships at sea. These vessels will be the second largest in the armed forces, behind the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.
Symbols of Belfast
Carlos Lopez Carregado, general manager at Harland & Wolff, described Samson and Goliath as “symbols of Belfast”.
“We know that the city is proud of them, and this major mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and fabric maintenance project will restore them to their absolute best,” he said.
“We will be replacing parts, updating technology and testing them to see that they can lift at full capacity, and we will be treating them with utmost respect. The cranes are sophisticated pieces of machinery capable of carrying enormous weight. They will need all of their strength to lift blocks for the fleet solid support vessels, and for future ships which we anticipate building in Belfast.
“You can expect to see Samson and Goliath swing into action soon – they are about to be at their busiest for many years.”
