Konecranes Unveils Tailored Crane System for UK’s Innovative Shipbuilding Hub

Image Credits: Konecranes/LinkedIn

As reported by Konecranes,the company has successfully installed a specialized heavy-lift crane system at BAE Systems’ new shipbuilding site in Govan,Scotland. This cutting-edge equipment is now operational and will facilitate the concurrent construction of two Type 26 naval frigates indoors.

the contract, which was awarded to Konecranes in late 2022, involved providing four high-capacity cranes for the Govan facility in Glasgow. The delivery consists of two electric overhead traveling (EOT) cranes with a capacity of 20 tonnes and a span of 56 meters, alongside two impressive Goliath cranes rated for 100 tonnes and spanning an impressive 70 meters tall.

All cranes were delivered and installed by June 2025 and have been officially handed over to BAE Systems. These machines are set to enhance production efficiency significantly by enabling simultaneous work on both warships indoors—an essential feature given Scotland’s often unpredictable weather conditions.

Image Credits: Konecranes/LinkedIn

The shipbuilding hall itself is quite an engineering marvel, measuring an expansive 170 meters long and 80 meters wide.Constructed using over 6,000 tonnes of steel along with around 20,000 cubic meters of concrete, this facility can support up to 500 workers per shift.

Konecranes collaborated closely with McLaughlin & Harvey—the main contractor on this project—to ensure seamless integration.In addition to the larger Goliath cranes, they also installed two slightly smaller EOT cranes with a span of about 54 meters.

A elegant safety system has been incorporated into the crane design that allows for safe coordination between all units. This innovative setup enables smaller EOT cranes to maneuver beneath the towering Goliath models without any risk involved.

Image Credits: Konecranes/LinkedIn

According to a sales manager from Konecranes UK, their advanced crane technology features Smart Features along with TRUCONNECT capabilities specifically designed for heavy-duty shipbuilding tasks. This equipment not only provides predictive maintenance tools but is also built for long-term reliability within BAE’s operations.A senior representative from mclaughlin & Harvey praised Konecranes’ meticulous planning and professionalism throughout this endeavor. He noted that their team was well-prepared for various scenarios while maintaining high safety standards during installation—a crucial aspect when dealing with such large-scale machinery.

Reference: Konecranes