Mammoet has unveiled the SK6000, the most powerful land-based crane ever built. With a maximum lifting capacity of 6,000 tons, the SK6000 is poised to accelerate large-scale construction projects across the energy sector, from offshore wind farms to nuclear power plants.
As global energy demands rise alongside population growth, the SK6000 introduces new efficiencies in construction, enabling projects to build larger components in parallel. This could lead to faster project completion, reducing costs and bringing critical infrastructure online sooner.
One of the SK6000’s most significant applications is in the offshore wind sector, where the rapid growth of wind turbine components has strained supply chains. With a lifting capacity of 3,000 tons to heights of 220 meters, the SK6000 ensures that future wind farms can be constructed and installed safely and efficiently, meeting the needs of the booming renewable energy industry.
In the oil and gas sector, the crane is expected to reduce integration times for offshore floating projects. For onshore operations, the SK6000 enables modular construction, where key components can be built offsite and transported for installation, enhancing project efficiency and reducing downtime.
The nuclear energy sector, which is seeing a resurgence in new-build projects, will also benefit from the SK6000’s advanced construction methodologies. By enabling faster project timelines, the crane will help nuclear plants deliver low-carbon energy to communities more quickly.
With a massive 6,000-ton capacity and 4,200 tons of ballast, the SK6000 operates with a ground bearing pressure of 30 tons per square meter. The crane’s design incorporates containerization techniques for easy transport, allowing it to be shipped globally in standard shipping containers. This makes it highly flexible and deployable to any location around the world.
In addition, the SK6000 is equipped with electric power capabilities, running on either battery power or a grid connection. This allows customers to reduce the carbon footprint of their projects, aligning with industry trends toward more sustainable construction practices.
“This crane is truly a world record feat of engineering, with a production schedule to match,” said Gavin Kerr, Director of Global Services at Mammoet. “Hundreds of colleagues have been directly involved with its development. There are very few companies on Earth—if any—that could have brought this crane into reality, and we are immensely proud to have done so.”
The SK6000 is currently undergoing testing at Mammoet’s Westdorpe facility in the Netherlands and is scheduled for deployment on its first project later this year.
