The SK6000 is designed to meet the demands of future offshore wind farms and support the global energy market.
Model of the SK6000 crane. (Photo: Mammoet).
The world’s largest onshore crane operating entirely on electricity is currently being assembled in the Netherlands, according to an article by Interesting Engineering on April 26. The crane, named SK6000, can lift 6,000 tons and is being constructed at Mammoet’s engineering center. This Dutch company specializes in heavy lifting and transport engineering. The company’s engineers will continue to refine the crane to ensure it is ready for delivery in 2024. The new equipment will enable offshore wind projects to proceed even without connection to the power grid.
The long reach, lifting height, and lifting capacity of the SK6000 provide customers with a more sustainable solution for transporting heavy loads, allowing them to build larger components. The new crane is a predecessor to the SK350, utilizing similar design principles and lifting techniques. The crane has a main boom length of up to 171 meters. By attaching a luffing jib, the equipment can achieve a total lifting height of 274 meters.
According to the company, the SK6000 can be placed in a container, allowing for quick transportation and onsite assembly, providing the capability to lift super heavy materials anywhere. This crane will facilitate the construction of larger modules by reducing the number of maneuvers, reconfigurations, and operations in heavy industrial projects.
The increasing offshore wind power capacity globally demands stronger lifting capabilities, and the SK6000 is designed for customers to erect taller turbines, placing heavy foundations either floating or fixed. The new crane can reduce offshore project time by directly placing heavy foundations into the water and assembling turbines from one location.
