Harland & Wolff to spend £3 million overhauling iconic Belfast shipyard cranes
Harland & Wolff will invest £3 million to refurbish its landmark yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath, as part of a larger £100 million upgrade ahead of a defence contract.
Harland & Wolff announced a £3 million programme to refurbish its famous yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath, located on the east Belfast skyline. The overhaul will involve engine work, replacement of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and structural parts, and testing to ensure full lifting capability. This effort is included in a broader investment of nearly £100 million by Navantia, the Spanish state-owned shipbuilder that now owns the yard.
The facility serves as the final assembly point for three Royal Navy Fleet Solid Support ships, with block components to arrive by barge for the first vessel, RFA Resurgent, in early 2027. Carlos Lopez Carregado, General Manager at Harland & Wolff, said the project respects the city’s pride in the cranes. Navantia has also expanded the fabrication hall and added plasma-cutting equipment at the Belfast site.
Why it matters
The refurbishment secures critical infrastructure for a major UK defence contract and preserves a city landmark.
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