Samson and Goliath cranes set for £3.1m overhaul at Harland & Wolff

Navantia UK will refurbish Belfast’s iconic Harland & Wolff gantry cranes “Samson” and “Goliath” in a £3.1 million overhaul, as the yard expects the cranes to be “at their busiest for many years.” Work began on Goliath, the older crane built in 1969 and standing 96 metres tall. Engineers will overhaul both cranes’ engines, replace their catenary power cables, and carry out structural and electrical repairs. Once Goliath is finished, refurbishment will move to Samson, installed in 1974 and measuring 106 metres. Each crane can lift 840 tonnes—roughly equivalent to four Boeing 747s. The upgrades are part of a £98.5 million recapitalisation of Harland & Wolff to support naval and commercial shipbuilding.