Dutch contractor Mammoet has received its first Liebherr LR12500 crane.
With a capacity of 2500 tonnes and a 200-metre hook height, the giant piece of plant will help to ensure the ability to build future energy and infrastructure developments as the size of structures increase.
Offshore wind turbine components are growing at a fast rate, with nacelles of 1000 tonnes, tower sections of 2000 tonnes and jackets and monopiles of 3000 tonnes already in production.
Mammoet said companies across the sector need peace of mind that components currently planned can be transported and assembled by future equipment – as lead times increase, doubly so.
Similarly, civil megaprojects will depend on high-capacity lifting equipment that allow more construction to take place away from the project site, with both cost and environmental benefits, it added.
In all cases, the new LR12500 unit will support these construction methodologies, building in larger pieces to cut down integration and transport schedules. It features a wide high-performance boom, which offers increased stability at reduced (self) weight.
Despite its large size, it folds into dimensions small enough to remain in-gauge. Both features increase the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of its mobilization.
A 100-metre main boom and 108metre luffing jib help the LR12500 reach a 200-metre maximum hook height.
Dual engines with redundancy ensure high levels of reliability, as the crane can continue operation using just one power unit.