Stories

Wed, 19 Aug 2026

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 Overhaul for Belfast cranes ahead of major contract

It is part of an investment of almost £100m as Harland & Wolff's Spanish owners prepare it for a major defence contract.

* Harland and Wolff will spend £3m refurbishing its famous yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath.
* The overhaul will be part of a larger investment of almost £100m as the yard prepares for a major defence contract.
* The cranes' engines will be overhauled and key components replaced.
* Navantia has made substantial investments in Belfast, including an expansion to the fabrication hall and installing plasma cutting equipment.
* Work on the FSS project is underway at other Navantia sites in Spain and Devon.
* Blocks for the first ship, RFA Resurgent, are due to arrive in Belfast in early 2027.
* Airbus has started work on a major extension to its wing factory in Belfast, which will increase production of wings for the A220 passenger jet.