Heavy Equipment

Mammoet Set to Deliver the World’s Largest Ring Crane

The SK6000 could help improve the efficiency of offshore construction.

Updated on

July 27, 2023

Mammoet SK6000 Crane — The SK6000 will operate entirely on electric power. (Photo: Mammoet)

Mammoet has embarked on an ambitious project that seeks to deliver the world’s largest 6,000-ton electrical ring crane at its Dutch headquarters.

The fabrication and production of the giant ring crane, which have been underway since April, are scheduled for completion next year.

The SK6000 will operate entirely on electric power, allowing users to enhance the sustainability of their projects.

The ring crane is expected to set a new standard in global heavy lifting capacity by enabling clients to build heavier and bigger components than ever before.

It will employ similar design principles and lifting techniques used in its predecessor, the SK350, with which it shares the same engineering DNA.

Indeed, much of the SK6000’s technology has been successfully deployed on several project sites around the world.

Offshore wind farms

According to Mammoet, the ring crane is designed to operate on next-generation offshore wind farms, allowing it to serve global energy markets where additional lifting is needed both onshore and at sea.

“Having worked on numerous large-scale offshore wind projects, we understand how important the logistics between port delivery and installation are to maintaining a schedule,” says Martin Tieman, project manager for Mammoet.

The SK6000 is specifically designed for turbine assembly and port handling work.

Mammoet, which has worked with Equinor to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm, says the new crane will enhance the efficiency of offshore construction.

The new machine has been inspired by the need for bigger lifting capacity as offshore wind components continue to grow bigger and heavier.

The SK6000’s new design will allow clients to seamlessly integrate larger turbines and launch heavier fixed and floating foundations.

Quick mobilization

The crane will follow the same containerized approach as its predecessors to allow for quick mobilization and on-site assembly.

“The SK6000 fixed jib is just the latest evolution in a crane series that allows small adjustments to have a large effect on performance,” says Mammoet technical expert Jeremy Haylock.

The new ring crane is expected to streamline the integration of offshore and floating production projects in the conventional energy sector by accommodating bigger topside modules.

Additionally, the SK6000 will potentially assist refineries in minimizing land downtime by efficiently removing and installing large components with minimal disruption.