Dismantling of harbor crane

End of a Port Giant: Grab Crane in Antwerp Expertly Dismantled.

For decades, it towered high above the quays, a familiar silhouette to dockworkers, skippers, and visitors. But every industrial era comes to an end. In the Port of Antwerp, the dismantling of an imposing grab crane recently began, an operation that is as impressive as it is complex.

Dismantling such a crane is no simple task. The behemoth, which is 65 meters tall and weighs 400 tons, was disassembled step by step. The specialists from Bottelier worked safely and according to schedule, with the structural parts being lowered using mobile cranes and removed in transportable sections.

In addition to the technical challenge, sustainability plays an important role. The steel is recycled, but electrical components, motors, and cables are also disposed of separately to give as many materials as possible a second life.