Sarens Sets European Benchmark with Record-Breaking 1,850-Tonne Lift Using Liebherr LR 12500-1.0 at Wergeland Base
- Meagan Wood
- Jun 17, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 12
30-Second Takeaway
Sarens has completed a landmark offshore decommissioning project at Wergeland Base in Norway, executing an exceptionally rare 1,850-tonne lift using a single Liebherr LR 12500-1.0 crawler crane. The operation involved lifting massive marine footings from the water, transporting them by SPMTs, and re-immersing them for dismantling. Achieved under extreme weather conditions, the project highlights Sarens’ ability to deliver record-setting heavy lifts, cost-efficient execution, and sustainable decommissioning solutions at the highest level of complexity.
A Record-Breaking Achievement
Sarens has successfully completed a landmark decommissioning project at the Wergeland Base in Gulen, Norway, which involved lifting, transporting, and re-immersing four massive footings. This project demonstrated not only Sarens' engineering expertise but also its ability to perform record-breaking lifts under challenging conditions.
The project’s highlight was the use of Sarens' LR12500-1.0 crawler crane to lift each footing, which weighed an extraordinary 1850 tonnes. Lifting such a weight with a single crawler crane is exceptionally rare in Europe and may be a record-breaking achievement. While SGC cranes can handle such lifts with ease, accomplishing this with a crawler crane emphasizes Sarens' capability to manage some of the world's heaviest loads.
Tailored Solutions and Precision Execution
Commissioned by Wergeland, the project involved:
• Lifting the 25m-high, 27m-wide footings out of the water.
• Transporting them to a quay using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs).
• Re-immersing the footings.
Sarens was chosen for its cost-effective and highly specialized solution. By extending the contract for the LR12500-1.0 crane, which was already deployed at the site, Sarens ensured seamless execution while minimizing costs for the client.
Technical Details
The operation required:
• The LR12500-1.0 crane configured with an 80m main boom, a 35m superlift radius, and 1,240 tonnes of superlift weight.
• SPMTs with multiple axle lines for precise transport.
• A 2000-tonne shackle, a standard but exceptionally large component, designed to meet the project's unique demands.
Challenges and Triumphs
The execution of this project presented several challenges. The footings, floating at sea, required rigging during record-breaking rainfall, which tested the team's resolve. Despite these obstacles, Sarens' experienced team, led by Project Manager Willem Ditmer and Project Engineer Wim de Keersmaecker, completed the operation on schedule and without compromising safety.
Sustainability in Action
As a decommissioning initiative, the project reflects Sarens' commitment to sustainability. The footings were scrapped and recycled, supporting greener practices while contributing to the local economy.
A Milestone for the Team
The capabilities of Wergeland Base were further validated by this milestone achievement, showcasing it as an ideal site for high-complexity operations. The successful completion of this complex and record-breaking lift serves as a testament to Sarens' ingenuity and dedication. It marks a significant milestone for the operators and reinforces Sarens' position as a leader in heavy lifting and transport solutions.
About Sarens
Sarens is one of the world’s foremost specialists in heavy lifting, engineered transport, and complex project execution, with a legacy spanning nearly seven decades. Founded in 1955 in Belgium, Sarens has grown into a truly global organization, operating in more than 70 countries with a workforce of over 4,500 employees and a strategically positioned network of regional hubs, yards, and engineering offices.
The company is internationally recognized for executing some of the largest and most technically demanding lifting operations ever performed, particularly in sectors where margin for error is zero. Sarens’ core markets include offshore and onshore energy, oil and gas, petrochemicals, renewables, infrastructure, mining, shipbuilding, and large-scale industrial construction, as well as increasingly complex decommissioning and circular-economy projects.
Sarens maintains one of the largest and most diverse heavy-lift fleets in the world, including:
Ultra-heavy crawler cranes such as the Liebherr LR 12500-1.0
Ring cranes and super-heavy lifting systems
Extensive SPMT fleets with thousands of axle lines
Barges, skid systems, strand jacks, and gantry solutions
What distinguishes Sarens is not just equipment scale, but its engineering-driven approach. Each project is supported by in-house lift engineering, transport studies, structural analysis, ground bearing assessments, and method statements tailored to site-specific constraints. This capability allows Sarens to safely execute lifts that are often considered unachievable with conventional approaches, including single-crane lifts exceeding 1,500 tonnes, offshore-to-onshore transfers, and precision handling of floating structures.
Sarens is also a recognized leader in sustainable heavy lifting, particularly in decommissioning, repowering, and recycling projects. By enabling the dismantling, relocation, and reuse of large industrial assets, Sarens supports clients in reducing environmental impact while maintaining economic efficiency.
Through continuous investment in technology, operator training, and safety systems, Sarens consistently sets new global benchmarks for lift capacity, precision, and execution reliability, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for the world’s most complex heavy-lift
challenges.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.sarens.com/
About Liebherr Mobile & Crawler Cranes
Liebherr Mobile & Crawler Cranes form one of the most advanced and comprehensive crane portfolios in the global lifting industry. Manufactured primarily by Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH, the division delivers lifting solutions for the most demanding applications across energy, infrastructure, offshore construction, heavy industry, and large-scale decommissioning projects.
Liebherr’s mobile crane range spans from compact two-axle all-terrain cranes to nine-axle heavy-duty models with lifting capacities exceeding 1,200 tonnes, engineered for maximum roadability, flexibility, and site adaptability. Technologies such as VarioBase®, VarioBallast®, and the LICCON control system enable precise lifting even in confined or complex environments.
In the crawler crane segment, Liebherr sets industry benchmarks with cranes ranging from multipurpose units to ultra-heavy models like the LR 12500-1.0, capable of handling loads exceeding 3,000 tonnes in optimized configurations. Modular boom and ballast systems allow efficient transport, rapid assembly, and tailored configurations for offshore, industrial, and infrastructure projects.
Supported by a global service network and decades of engineering expertise, Liebherr cranes are trusted worldwide for record-setting lifts, critical infrastructure work, and next-generation energy projects.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.liebherr.com/en-us/mobile-and-crawler-cranes/mobile-and-crawler-cranes-4407715
Frequently Asked Questions
What made this decommissioning project unique?
The project involved lifting 1,850-tonne offshore footings with a single crawler crane, a feat that is extremely rare in Europe. Such weights are typically handled by ring cranes or floating heavy-lift vessels, making this operation potentially record-breaking.
Which crane was used for the heavy lifts?
Sarens deployed a Liebherr LR 12500-1.0 crawler crane, one of the most powerful land-based crawler cranes in the world, specifically configured to handle ultra-heavy offshore components.
How was the LR 12500-1.0 configured for the lift?
The crane was set up with:
80-metre main boom
35-metre superlift radius
1,240 tonnes of superlift counterweight
This configuration enabled precise control and stability for lifting floating loads directly from the water.
How were the footings transported after lifting?
After being lifted from the water, the 25-metre-high footings were transported across the quay using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) with multiple axle lines for load distribution and maneuverability.
What role did sustainability play in the project?
As part of a decommissioning initiative, the footings were scrapped and recycled, reducing environmental impact and supporting circular-economy practices while benefiting the local supply chain.
What challenges did the team face on site?
The project was executed under record rainfall and harsh marine conditions, requiring precise rigging of floating structures. Despite this, the Sarens team completed the operation safely and on schedule.
Why was Sarens selected for this project?
Sarens was chosen for its ability to provide a cost-effective, technically advanced solution by extending the use of an already-mobilized LR 12500-1.0 crane, reducing mobilization costs while maintaining exceptional lifting capability.
