Belfast’s famous Samson and Goliath shipyard cranes are set for a major refurbishment as their new owners prepare to expand shipbuilding operations at the historic Harland and Wolff yard.
The giant yellow cranes dominate the Belfast skyline and have become symbols of the city. Each stands about 100 metres tall and can lift up to 840 tonnes, equivalent to roughly four Boeing 747 aircraft.
Built in 1969 and the early 1970s, the cranes have not operated at full capacity for decades. They were last used to build a ship in 2003.
Spanish shipbuilding company Navantia, which acquired the Belfast shipyard in 2025, is now investing more than £3 million to restore the cranes and prepare them for renewed heavy lifting work.
Refurbishment work has already begun on Goliath, the older of the two structures. The project will include mechanical, electrical and hydraulic repairs, structural maintenance, technology upgrades and testing to ensure the cranes can safely operate at their full lifting capacity.
Carlos Lopez Carregado, general manager at Harland & Wolff, said the cranes remained closely associated with Belfast’s identity.
“Samson and Goliath are symbols of Belfast,” he said, adding that the refurbishment would restore the structures to the highest operational standard.
The investment comes as Harland & Wolff begins work on major naval projects. The company has a contract to build three supply vessels for the Royal Navy, which are expected to become the largest ships in the fleet after Britain’s two aircraft carriers.
Additional projects are also in the shipyard’s order book, while the company hopes to benefit from increased UK defence spending in the coming years.
Navantia has committed nearly £100 million to the Belfast yard, including investment in expanded production areas and modern cutting equipment.
The redevelopment is expected to support a significant increase in employment. The shipyard currently has about 450 workers, but the company expects that figure to reach around 1,500 by 2030.
Harland & Wolff was founded in east Belfast in 1861 and became one of the world’s best-known shipbuilding companies. Its most famous vessel was the Titanic, which was constructed at the yard for the White Star Line and launched in 1911.
The ship sank on its maiden voyage in 1912 after striking an iceberg.
The shipyard also has a complicated history, including periods of sectarian tension and discrimination during the decades surrounding the Troubles.
Today, the focus is on rebuilding the yard’s industrial capacity. The return of Samson and Goliath to full operation is expected to play a central role in that effort.
The cranes have long featured on Belfast souvenirs, clothing, homeware and other products, making them among the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
With major naval contracts underway and further investment planned, Harland & Wolff expects the two giant cranes to become busier than they have been for many years.
