Dozens of Liebherr tower cranes at work in Iceland

Expansion of the Svartsengi geothermal facility for producing electricity, district heating and hot water. Photo: Liebherr

Construction growth has been strong in Iceland over the last five years, in many areas, from fish farming to public infrastructure and all made possible by tower cranes.

Manufacturer Liebherr claims close to half of the market, via its local dealer Rüko, which has a fleet of 45 tower cranes.

In addition to general urban development, the country’s construction industry is expanding in energy, healthcare and fish farming, among other areas.

An interesting current project is a salmon farming facility – on land. The project for First Water is at Þorlákshöfn on the south coast of Iceland. It is being built in six phases, each of which adds capacity to sustainably produce another 10,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon a year. At the time of writing there were seven Liebherr tower cranes on site, including fast erectors and two larger, 270 EC-B, flat tops. The fast erectors are two units each of the 53K and 81K.1, plus one larger 125K. Work is largely assembling large tanks and associated buildings.

The area is known for its changeable weather with strong winds and salty air, none of which is good for machinery or pleasant to work in. Despite these constraints, Liebherr said, the project schedule has been maintained.

Construction of the New National Hospital in Reykjavik. Photo: Liebherr

Urban capital

In the country’s capital city, Reykjavik, the New National Hospital has been under construction since 2021. Even now nearing completion, a total of 15 Liebherr tower cranes are at work there. Starting with the largest, a 280 EC-H conventional saddle jib crane, there are also two 340 EC-Bs, plus one each 172 EC-B, 150 EC-B, 132 EC-B and 130 EC-B flat top towers. Fast erectors on site include a 34K, four 53Ks a 71K and two 81K.1s.

Another infrastructure project, expansion of the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, presents its own set of challenges. Svartsengi is one of the oldest geothermal facilities, providing electricity, district heating and hot water across the Island. It is also one of the most important.

Expansion work started in 2023 when volcanic activity nearby, including multiple eruptions, presented geological challenges and issues with logistics. It was completed towards the end of 2025 with the help of a 81K.1 used for assembly of structural components.

Renewal development

The Midbær Selfoss project is a mixed use urban renewal development. Photo: Liebherr

In Selfoss four fast erecting cranes are helping to build the Midbær Selfoss mixed use development of retail, dining and other public space. Since completion of the first phase in 2021, phase two started in 2024 and continues until 2028. Cranes on site include an L1 32, a 53K, and two 81K.1s. Limited space without much of a laydown area means the cranes have had to work in highly co-ordinated fashion to get loads from delivery to final position where access is limited.

Liebherr said a key market trend in Iceland since 2017 has been a shift towards contractors renting cranes rather than purchasing them.

Self erectors helping to build the First Water salmon farm on land. Photo: Liebherr