The iconic Samson and Goliath gantry cranes in Belfast are undergoing a major refurbishment to restore them to full strength [1, 2].
This overhaul marks a strategic effort to prepare the historic Harland & Wolff shipyard for a new era of shipbuilding activity. As symbols of Northern Ireland's industrial heritage, the cranes are essential both for the city's skyline and its operational capacity.
Owned by Navantia UK, the two yellow gantry cranes are located at the shipyard in Belfast [1, 2]. Work has already begun on Goliath, the older of the two structures [1, 2]. The project is intended to ensure the cranes can support the heavy lifting required for modern maritime construction as the yard seeks a revival [3].
The cost of the refurbishment is estimated between £3 million [2] and £3.1 million [1].
"We know that the city is proud of them," a Harland & Wolff spokesperson said [3].
The maintenance project comes as the shipyard looks to leverage its historic infrastructure for future contracts. By updating the structural integrity of the gantry cranes, Navantia UK aims to maintain the yard's viability as a primary site for large-scale vessel assembly, and repair [3].
The cranes have long served as the most recognizable landmarks of the Belfast waterfront. This investment ensures they remain functional assets rather than purely ornamental monuments to the city's shipbuilding past [1, 2].
“The overhaul is intended to restore the cranes to full strength ahead of a new era in shipbuilding.”
The refurbishment of Samson and Goliath signifies a shift from treating the Harland & Wolff shipyard as a historical site to repositioning it as an active industrial hub. By investing millions into these specific assets, Navantia UK is signaling confidence in the return of large-scale shipbuilding to Belfast, attempting to blend the city's industrial identity with modern commercial requirements.
