I was interested to see an article announcing the arrival of the world’s largest crane at Bristol Point.

It is a SGC-250, to get technical, and it is a vital piece of equipment for the construction of Hinkley Point C in Somerset. It will perform all the heaviest lifts and is very well capable of dealing with the tasks ahead.

The crane is capable of handling a 5,000 tonne load with a maximum load movement of 250,000 tonnes and has a 50m radius. That is the equivalent of 32 single storey houses or 1,600 cars. Its main boom can be extended from 118 to 160 metres and the jib can be extended up to 100 metres, providing height of up to 250 metres or a radius of 275 metres.

It also has the capacity to relocate from one lifting position to another, the first time that this has been achieved in engineering.

It was constructed by Sarens, divided into several modules and shipped from Ghent in Belgium to Avonmouth Dock. It will be stored there prior to its short journey to the construction site in Somerset.

Bristol Port has itself invested in new cranes to help meet the needs of the Hinkley project. It includes storing Abnormal Indivisible Loads, equipment which is too large to be moved on the motorways and will need to be sent to the site by barge.