Machines and equipment manufactured by Konecranes are well known for their strength and durability, but what about their contribution to culture and the arts? If that seems like a strange question, buckle up your safety harness and read on to learn about the lesser-known (and more surprising) side of moving what matters.
Konecranes equipment has moved many things over the years, from harvested trees and industrial paper rolls to shipping containers and mining workstations. While these kinds of applications have a clear impact on global supply chains, some of our work is, well, decidedly different — for example, providing an extreme makeover to an all-weather crane system that moves sensitive components for rocket engine testing, or developing custom cranes to assist with the building of a space surveillance project’s telescope facility.
These are not the only unexpected environments that our engineers and product experts have had opportunities to work in. In fact, Konecranes has been privileged to be a part of many surprising, culturally significant and even groundbreaking projects. Here are three examples we are especially proud of:
1. Icon of the Seas: Lifting the World's Largest AquaDome
Konecranes’ Goliath crane – which is as massive as the name implies – working at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, embarked on a unique and highly challenging undertaking when helping construct the Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship. One of the ship’s standout features is the AquaDome, a massive structure made of glass and steel that serves as a centerpiece of luxury on board. The dome houses restaurants, bars, and entertainment, all while offering spectacular 220-degree ocean views. Oh, and did we mention it also weighs 363 tons?
The process of lifting the AquaDome into place required extreme precision, with the structure needing to remain level throughout a process that took several hours. Konecranes equipment played an integral role, ensuring that every component was installed seamlessly on the way to Aquadome becoming one of the heaviest objects the company has ever lifted.
2. Sagrada Familia: Shaping an Iconic Architectural Masterpiece
Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia is one of the most famous buildings in the world, with construction spanning over 140 years and on-going. The intricate design, originally conceived by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, presents significant challenges in terms of both materials and logistics. Konecranes helped to write a chapter of the church’s history-in-the-making when it was called upon to help load, unload, lift, and position a number of large, unique stones for the ongoing construction.
The crane used in this project — the tried and tested CXT model — towered as high as 200 meters above the streets of Barcelona, and was also pivotal in the process of sculpting the stones. Because the Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there was no room for error in the precision required to handle these historical materials – Konecranes' reliability and expertise were crucial to success.
3. Oktoberfest: Building the Infrastructure for the World’s Biggest Beer Festival
Oktoberfest is known primarily for its beer and entertainment, making it easy to overlook the vast amount of infrastructure and planning required to host its millions of visitors. In 2018, Konecranes began helping with preparations for the annual event, supplying specialized cranes to hoist and move the heavy pieces of the festival’s party tents.
Capable of housing up to 119,000 people, the tents are a centerpiece of the event. From large beams to oversized decorative beer mugs, the custom, remote-controlled double-girder bridge crane designed for the event by Konecranes was required to move countless key components with speed and precision. Prost!
Looking Ahead: Moving More Than Just Materials
From rocket ships to cruise ships and party tents to one of the world’s most recognizable architectural projects, Konecranes’ machines have proven their ability to handle some of the most unexpected challenges over and over again. Moving what matters isn’t just about materials — it’s about shaping the world we live in, from art to culture to entertainment.
As Konecranes looks toward the future, there’s no telling what incredible projects our machines will support next. Whether it’s in the world of construction, entertainment, or industry, one thing is clear: We will strive to continue lifting the world to new heights.
Picture courtesy of Royal Caribbean
