Port Crane Relocation: Moving 1,200t Through a Working Port
Updated: 6 days ago
Relocating a fully assembled port crane weighing approximately 1,200t and standing 60 m high required a carefully engineered transport solution within an active port environment.
The objective was to transfer the crane from its assembly area to its final operating position on the quay rails, without dismantling the structure.
The operation combined hydraulic lifting, modular transport technology, and controlled maneuvering, with each stage planned around the crane's dimensions, weight distribution, and the existing port infrastructure.
A 1,200t load on modular trailers
Using specialized hydraulic jacking systems, the fully assembled crane was lifted and transferred onto two parallel modular trailer combinations, each configured with 24 axle lines.
The transport configuration was operated by three MAN 8×4 tractor units, with the modular trailers providing the required load distribution and maneuverability for the movement.
Crossing railway infrastructure
One of the most demanding stages of the relocation was crossing the railway tracks between the assembly area and the quay.
The two trailer combinations were maneuvered through controlled alternating movements, allowing the 1,200t load to pass the railway infrastructure while maintaining control over the position and stability of the crane.
The operation required continuous coordination between the transport, engineering, and lifting teams.
Positioning the crane on the quay rails
Once the crane reached the quay, the final stage required considerably more than simply unloading the transport equipment.
The 60-metre-high structure had to be precisely aligned with the existing quay rails before being lowered into its operating position. Hydraulic systems were used to control the final transfer of the load and achieve the required positioning accuracy.
The operation was completed with the crane fully assembled and ready for operation.
Engineering the movement, not just the transport
A 1,200t port crane cannot be treated as a standard oversized load. Its relocation requires the transport system, lifting equipment, route and final positioning procedure to be engineered as one integrated operation.
For Eastship Projects & Logistics, the project brought together heavy transport engineering, hydraulic lifting, modular trailer technology and precision positioning to relocate a fully assembled port crane within a constrained working port environment.
Comments