Walter Watson Supplies 11 Cranes for Harland & Wolff’s Belfast Modernisation
30-Second Takeaway
Walter Watson has supplied, installed and commissioned 11 new cranes at Navantia UK’s Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast. The £1.5 million package includes a 20 tonne semi-goliath gantry crane, six electric overhead travelling cranes and four jib cranes. The equipment supports steel handling and ship component assembly as the yard prepares for Fleet Solid Support ship construction. The purchase forms part of a wider £98.5 million modernisation programme, which also includes refurbishment of the landmark Samson and Goliath gantry cranes.
Walter Watson
County Down-based Walter Watson Ltd has completed an 11-crane installation programme at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast. The contract covered manufacture, delivery, installation and commissioning, with the cranes produced and tested at the supplier’s Castlewellan facility.
The final unit was a 20 tonne semi-goliath gantry crane with a 20 metre span, designed to move steel and ship components around the yard. The equipment will support the shipyard’s renewed construction activity under Navantia UK, including preparations to build three Fleet Solid Support ships.
Twin-Hoist Semi-Goliath Crane
The new semi-goliath crane provides lifting coverage for handling materials and assembling ship components. A semi-goliath arrangement combines a ground-running leg on one side with an elevated runway supporting the other side of the crane. The twin-hoist unit joins a site already defined by its much larger Samson and Goliath travelling gantry cranes, both of which are undergoing renovation as part of the yard’s upgrade.
David Barr, managing director of Walter Watson, said:
“We’re delighted to have been awarded the contract to manufacture, install and commission these 11 cranes for Navantia UK’s Harland & Wolff site. In particular, it’s a privilege to have been entrusted to supply and commission this twin hoist semi-goliath crane under the shadow of the iconic Samson and Goliath cranes, from which this model takes its name. All of these units were manufactured and tested at our County Down-based facility in Castlewellan. We used our in-house transport capabilities to deliver them to Harland & Wolff’s site on Belfast Harbour, prior to erecting them with an 80 tonne mobile crane from our own plant fleet.”
Overhead and Jib Cranes for Fabrication Work
The remaining equipment comprises six electric overhead travelling bridge cranes and four jib cranes. These units serve the fabrication hall and its new 5,000 square metre extension, providing lifting resources for steel preparation and component handling. The supplied equipment incorporates radio control, collision-avoidance systems, digital load indication and preparation for magnet operation. Together, the overhead, jib and semi-goliath cranes provide different lifting arrangements across the fabrication and assembly areas.
Supporting Fleet Solid Support Ship Construction
The new cranes will help the Belfast yard handle steel and assemble the blocks used in ship construction. Their installation supports the Fleet Solid Support programme, alongside future shipbuilding work at the site.
Carlos Lopez Carregado, Harland & Wolff general manager, said:
“This new crane will play a key role in shipyard operations. It will be a vital piece of equipment as we assemble ship blocks in readiness to build the Fleet Solid Support ship, and many future ships in Belfast. We’re pleased to be working with Walter Watson, a world class local supplier.”
Part of a £98.5 Million Yard Upgrade
The £1.5 million crane package forms part of Navantia UK’s £98.5 million modernisation and recapitalisation programme for the Belfast shipyard. The wider investment is intended to prepare the historic facility for advanced shipbuilding and naval projects.
Alongside the new fabrication equipment, work includes renovation of Samson and Goliath, preserving their role in the yard’s lifting infrastructure. The combination of new handling equipment and refurbished large gantry cranes supports activity across different stages of ship production, from fabrication through to major assembly.
About Walter Watson
Walter Watson Ltd is a family-owned structural steel and industrial crane specialist based in Castlewellan, County Down, Northern Ireland.
The company supplies engineered steelwork and overhead crane systems, combining manufacturing with delivery and installation capabilities. Its partnership with ABUS Crane Systems supports the provision of industrial lifting equipment for manufacturing and engineering customers.
For the Harland & Wolff contract, Walter Watson manufactured and tested all 11 cranes at its own facility, transported them to Belfast Harbour and used an 80 tonne crane from its plant fleet for erection. Its structural steel division also maintains mobile crane resources for installation work.
Official website: www.walter-watson.co.uk
About ABUS Crane Systems
ABUS Crane Systems is a German manufacturer of industrial lifting equipment with an international sales and service network.
The company develops crane systems and components, including hoists, drive and control technology and structural crane engineering. Its equipment supports the routine movement of materials in factories, workshops and other industrial facilities.
ABUS supplies lifting systems for loads ranging from 80 kilograms to 120 tonnes, with support encompassing equipment selection, delivery, installation and commissioning. Walter Watson works with ABUS to provide industrial crane solutions in Ireland.
Official website: www.abuscranes.com
About Navantia UK
Navantia UK is the shipyard owner overseeing the modernisation of Harland & Wolff’s Belfast operation.
Its £98.5 million investment programme is preparing the yard for advanced shipbuilding and naval work, including construction of three Fleet Solid Support ships.
The Belfast facility, where RMS Titanic was built, combines historic shipbuilding infrastructure with new fabrication and handling equipment. The crane investment brings a local County Down supplier into that modernisation programme.
Official website: www.navantia.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cranes were supplied?
Walter Watson supplied, installed and commissioned 11 cranes.
What equipment is included?
The package comprises a 20 tonne semi-goliath gantry crane, six electric overhead travelling bridge cranes and four jib cranes.
What is the span of the semi-goliath crane?
The crane has a 20 metre span and a lifting capacity of 20 tonnes.
How much did the crane package cost?
The equipment cost £1.5 million, within the wider £98.5 million yard modernisation programme.
What will the cranes support?
They will handle steel and ship components, supporting fabrication and block assembly for Fleet Solid Support ships and future Belfast shipbuilding projects.
