Harland & Wolff, the historic Belfast shipyard now owned by Spain’s state-controlled Navantia since January 2025, is undertaking a substantial £3 million refurbishment of its two famous yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath. The overhaul will include mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and structural maintenance, with technicians replacing worn components, upgrading systems and conducting capacity testing to ensure the cranes can operate at full lifting capability.
The crane renovation is part of a broader £100 million investment program at the yard as it prepares to serve as the integration and final assembly site for three Royal Navy support vessels under the Fleet Solid Support programme. The facility will receive blocks of the ships by barge from other Navantia production locations in Spain and Devon, with components for the first vessel, RFA Resurgent, scheduled to arrive in early 2027. Navantia has already completed several facility upgrades at the Belfast location, including expanded fabrication capacity and new plasma cutting technology.
Separately, aerospace manufacturer Airbus announced the commencement of a major expansion project at its Belfast wing manufacturing facility. The 6,221 square meter extension will support increased production of wings for the A220 passenger aircraft and will include a new industrial autoclave for composite wing manufacturing, additional electrical infrastructure, office space and parking facilities. The company also plans to bring on 40 new apprentices in September as part of its workforce development strategy to meet anticipated demand growth for the A220 program.
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