Liebherr Tower Cranes Drive Construction Growth Across Iceland
- Meagan Wood
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
30-Second Takeaway
Liebherr tower cranes are playing a central role in Iceland’s construction boom, supporting projects across aquaculture, healthcare, geothermal energy and urban development. From the First Water salmon facility to Reykjavík’s New National Hospital and the Svartsengi power plant, Liebherr cranes are delivering reliable performance in some of Europe’s most demanding environments.
Liebherr Tower Cranes Iceland
Iceland’s construction market continues to expand across sectors including energy, healthcare, aquaculture and urban development, with Liebherr tower cranes at the centre of this growth.
Operating in extreme climatic and geological conditions, Liebherr cranes have demonstrated reliability, adaptability and long-term performance, reinforcing the brand’s position as a trusted partner across the island.
Supporting Major Projects Across Multiple Sectors
Liebherr tower cranes are deployed across several of Iceland’s most significant developments, including:
Seven cranes at the First Water salmon facility
More than a dozen cranes at the New National Hospital in Reykjavík
Deployment at the Svartsengi geothermal power plant expansion
Multiple units supporting the Selfoss town centre development
These projects highlight the diversity of lifting requirements across Iceland’s evolving construction landscape.
First Water Aquaculture Facility
One of the most ambitious projects is the First Water land-based salmon farming facility in Þorlákshöfn.
Developed in six phases, the facility is targeting 60,000 tonnes of annual production capacity at full build-out. A fleet of seven Liebherr cranes, including 270 EC-B, 81K.1, 53K and 125K models, supports construction of tank systems and associated infrastructure.
Operating in a coastal, wind-exposed environment, the cranes have maintained performance despite challenging weather conditions, helping keep the project on schedule.
New National Hospital Reykjavík
In Reykjavík, the New National Hospital represents one of the most complex healthcare construction projects in Iceland.
A wide range of Liebherr cranes, including EC-H, EC-B and K-series models—are deployed across the site, supporting structural construction and precision lifting operations.
The cranes have been integrated into planning phases in collaboration with Liebherr Tower Crane Solutions (TCS), ensuring optimized configurations and safe operations throughout the project lifecycle.
Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant Expansion
The expansion of the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, one of Iceland’s most important energy facilities, demonstrates crane performance under extreme conditions. Despite nearby volcanic activity and seismic challenges, a Liebherr 81K.1 tower crane has supported lifting operations, contributing to progress toward the project’s planned completion. The crane’s durability and adaptability have proven essential in maintaining operations in a geologically active environment.
Selfoss Urban Development
In Selfoss, the Midbær Selfoss project is transforming the town centre with a mixed-use development featuring retail, dining and public spaces. Liebherr cranes, including 81K.1, 53K and L1 32 models are supporting construction in a tight urban environment, where limited space and complex logistics require precise lifting coordination.
Market Trends and Liebherr’s Role
Iceland’s construction growth has been driven by increasing investment across multiple sectors, alongside a shift toward crane rental over ownership since 2017–2018.
Liebherr’s diverse crane portfolio, ranging from compact L and K series to high-capacity EC-B models, aligns with these changing market demands.
Local dealer Rüko, operating since 2012, plays a key role in supporting Liebherr’s presence, managing a fleet of approximately 45 tower cranes and covering over 46% of Iceland’s tower crane market.
Outlook: Continued Growth Across Key Sectors
Looking ahead, Iceland’s construction market is expected to maintain strong momentum, with continued investment in renewable energy, infrastructure, healthcare and sustainable aquaculture.
Projects such as the expansion of the First Water facility and the development of the Reykjavík hospital campus highlight ongoing demand for reliable, high-performance crane solutions capable of operating in extreme environments.
Liebherr’s integrated approach combining equipment, engineering support and service positions the company to support Iceland’s long-term development goals.
About
About Liebherr
Liebherr is a global manufacturer of construction machinery and equipment, including tower cranes, mobile cranes and earthmoving machinery. The company is recognized for its engineering excellence and ability to deliver high-performance lifting solutions for complex and large-scale projects. Liebherr’s tower crane portfolio, including EC-B, EC-H, K and L series models, is widely used across infrastructure, energy and construction sectors worldwide.
Website: https://www.liebherr.com
About Rüko
Rüko is a leading tower crane supplier and service provider in Iceland, operating since 2012. The company manages a significant fleet of Liebherr tower cranes and supports projects across the island with rental, service and technical expertise. With coverage of over 46% of Iceland’s tower crane market, Rüko plays a central role in enabling large-scale construction and infrastructure development in the region.
Website: https://www.ruko.is
Frequently Asked Questions
What role do Liebherr cranes play in Iceland?
They support major projects across aquaculture, healthcare, energy and urban development.
How many cranes are used on the First Water project?
A total of seven Liebherr cranes are deployed on the project.
What is the New National Hospital project?
It is one of Iceland’s largest healthcare construction projects, supported by a wide range of Liebherr cranes.
How do Liebherr cranes perform in Iceland’s conditions?
They demonstrate strong reliability and adaptability in harsh climates and geologically active environments.
Who supports Liebherr operations in Iceland?
Local dealer Rüko provides rental, service and technical support across the country.
What market trend is shaping crane use in Iceland?
There is a growing shift toward crane rental over ownership, increasing demand for flexible fleet solutions.
