TECHNOLOGY

The Mammoet SK6000 has gained the title of world’s strongest land-based crane. How can it help construct a greener future?

WORDS AILSA HARVEY

In construction, the size and weight of engineering equipment is limited by that which can be lifted by a I crane or other lifting apparatus. This means that larger and more powerful machines, which are more efficient at their roles, aren’t feasible because they rely on cranes that simply aren’t strong enough to lift them. However, the capabilities of cranes are always expanding and, on 30 August 2024, heavy-lifting company Mammoet publicly launched the world’s strongest land-based crane: the SK6000. This crane is capable of lifting a single 6,000-tonne load - the equivalent of around 45 Statues of Liberty.

The SK6000 is a ring crane, meaning it turns by pivoting on a ring-shaped track. The main industry this crane is designed for is the renewable energy sector, as there is a demand for larger wind turbines to supply more green electricity. Modern wind turbines have base modules that weigh up to 3,000 tonnes, which is no challenge for the SK6000. This recordbreaking lifting power means that companies can use the crane to build with larger components, while engineers can plan more ambitious projects and energy-generating goals, making the process more efficient and leading to more mighty constructions.