Top 10 crane and transport stories from 2024: giant cranes, submarine moves and more

14,000 tonne crane in development. Image: Sinopec Heavy Lifting

1. Starting with a giant crane, see our report on the astonishing 14,000 tonne capacity one in development in China. If you think the tonnage is a big number, wait until you see the maximum load moment rating: an astronomical 728,000 tonne-metres. To put that in context a 3,000 tonne capacity lattice boom crawler crane is somewhere around 65,000 tonne-metres. Planning for the construction of this new giant is well underway.

The U17 submarine being rotated on a modular platform trailer. Photo: TII

2. Submarine transportation is an engineering feat requiring skillful planning, precision, and adaptability, often in challenging conditions. Over the years we have written about a surprising number of these arresting and always impressive moves. We rounded up some of the most spectacular projects that showcase the logistical mastery needed to relocate these massive, complex and somewhat ungainly vessels, whether overland or up from the sea floor.

3. We examined the wheeled and mobile cranes on show at bauma China 2024, including XCMG’s 4,000 tonne capacity XCA4000 all terrain crane, designed for wind turbine construction, and Zoomlion’s innovative ZTK120000V knuckle boom crane. With significant global interest, particularly from Russia and Southeast Asia, coupled with signs of domestic market recovery, the event highlighted China’s continual, and substantial, influence in crane technology.

Germany’s BKL was one of several companies that grew by more than 10 per cent in the 2024 IC100 ranking of the world’s largest crane-owning companies. Photo: BKL/Liebherr

4. We revealed the world’s fastest-growing crane-owning companies. Using trend data derived from our well known and long established IC100 ranking of the world’s largest crane companies, Murray Pollok established which are the fastest growing and added some context.

Designed for large-scale hauling and recovery, the new Landoll 850XT trailer was utilized for hauling the famous ‘Shawshank’ bus.

5. Kansas, USA-based Landoll Trailers was tasked with transporting a piece of cinematic history – the iconic “Shawshank Redemption” bus – to Upper Sandusky and Mansfield, OH for the film’s 30th anniversary celebration. 

6. The 2024 ICm20 crane manufacturer ranking reflects a strong rebound, with total sales rising over 5% compared to last year—a sharp recovery from the 10% and 4% declines in previous years. Combined crane-related revenue for the top 20 manufacturers is nearing 2021’s record high of $36.9 billion, closely matching 2020 figures.

The Manitowoc MLC300 VPC-MAX was used to install the new generators, each weighing over 121,000 pounds.

7. Minnesota, USA-based Boldt Construction successfully modernised the 114-year-old Lake Byllesby Dam in Minnesota. Using two Manitowoc crawler cranes—a 2250 owned by Boldt and a rented MLC300 VPC-MAX—the project involved building a new powerhouse and installing two generators, doubling the dam’s capacity to 4.4 megawatts, enough to power 2,400 homes.

Crane and Transport Briefing’s Niamh Marriott on site with the SK6000.

8. Specialist heavy lift giant Mammoet has launched its 6,000 tonne capacity SK6000, which it claims as the world’s strongest land-based crane. Niamh Marriott went to see it.

9. Frontier Heavy Haul safely transported the massive 9.1-million-pound Marion 8200 dragline across Texas in 27 disassembled loads over six weeks, overcoming logistical, weather, and routing challenges with precision and specialized equipment.

10. In his five years at Tadano, president and CEO Toshiaki Ujiie has overseen sweeping transformations, navigating the company through economic challenges and leading it into new markets. Crane and Transport Briefing’s D.Ann Shiffler spoke exclusively with Ujiie at Tadano’s state-of-the-art Kozai Plant in Takamatsu, Japan, where he shared insights on the company’s progress and the challenges ahead.

Zoomlion’s brand new ZTK120000V knuckle boom crane on show at bauma China 2024. Photo: Alex Dahm/KHL Group