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Overhaul for Belfast cranes ahead of major contract

John CampbellEconomics and business editor, BBC News NI
BBC A wide shot of a yellow ship building crane with the letters H&W in back bold writing. A large grey shed with a curved roof is on the right hand side of the image. BBC
The shipyard is to spend £3m refurbishing its famous yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath

The Harland and Wolff shipyard is to spend £3m refurbishing its famous yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath.

It is part of an investment of almost £100m as the Belfast yard's Spanish owners prepare it for a major defence contract.

The yard is the integration and final assembly site for three Royal Navy support ships in what is known as the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme.

The cranes, which dominate the east Belfast skyline, will have their engines overhauled and other key components replaced.

Harland and Wolff has been owned by Navantia, Spain's state-owned shipbuilder, since January 2025.

Carlos Lopez Carregado, General Manager at Harland & Wolff, said the overhaul would treat the cranes "with utmost respect".

PA Media A wide shot of two yellow ship building cranes with the letters H&W in back bold writing.PA Media

"We know that the city is proud of them, and this major mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and fabric maintenance project will restore them to their absolute best," he added.

"We will be replacing parts, updating technology and testing them to see that they can lift at full capacity."

Navantia has already made substantial investments in Belfast, including an expansion to the fabrication hall and installing plasma cutting equipment.

Work on the FSS project is well underway at other Navantia sites in Spain and Devon.

The ships are being constructed in blocks which will be taken to Belfast by barge for final assembly.

Blocks for the first ship, RFA Resurgent, are due to arrive in Belfast in early 2027.

Airbus extension

Getty Images Exterior of an Airbus A220 close up. Four windows are visible and the door is open. A passenger is sitting inside. Getty Images
Airbus finalised a deal to buy part of the Spirit Aerosystems facility in east Belfast in December 2025

Meanwhile Airbus, the aerospace manufacturer, said it has started work on a major extension to its wing factory in Belfast.

The 6,221 sq m extension will allow the company to increase production of wings for the A220 passenger jet.

The facility will house a new autoclave, effectively an industrial pressure-cooker which is used in the manufacturing of the composite wings.

The company is also adding high-voltage electrical substations, a new office block, and is expanding its car park.

"Enhancing our wing facilities is a direct investment in the future of A220 wing production here in Belfast, building the capacity required to meet the growing demand for this aircraft," said Anthony Rouse, Head of Airbus Belfast Plant and Site.

"This commitment is also reflected in our ongoing skills development, including bringing onboard 40 new apprentices who will start in September this year."