Harland & Wolff’s Samson and Goliath Cranes Set for £3.1 Million Overhaul as Belfast Shipyard Modernises

Harland & Wolff’s Samson and Goliath cranes are set for a £3.1 million overhaul, owner Navantia UK confirmed this week. The iconic yellow gantry cranes have towered over Belfast’s skyline for more than five decades. Work has already begun on Goliath, the older of the pair, with Samson to follow once that refurbishment finishes. The project forms part of a broader £98.5 million recapitalisation of the historic Belfast shipyard.

Why Samson and Goliath Need This Overhaul

Samson and Goliath haven’t operated at full capacity for decades, with their last ship-building use dating back to 2003. Navantia UK now needs both cranes fully functional again.

• Goliath was built in 1969 and stands 96 metres tall.
• Samson followed in 1974, reaching 106 metres, positioned closer to the water.
• Each crane can lift 840 tonnes, equivalent to four Boeing 747 jumbo jets.

Engineers will overhaul both engines completely and replace the catenary cables that supply power to each crane. Structural, electrical, and hydraulic repairs will follow across both machines.

What the £3.1 Million Overhaul Will Cover

Navantia UK’s investment targets every major system keeping Samson and Goliath operational. This isn’t a cosmetic refresh but a full mechanical rebuild.

• Fabric maintenance work will restore both cranes’ external structure and finish.
• Technology updates will modernise systems built over 50 years ago.
• Testing will confirm both cranes can lift at their original full capacity.

General manager Carlos Lopez Carregado called Samson and Goliath “symbols of Belfast,” adding that the city takes real pride in them. Goliath is expected to come back online in September 2026, with Samson following afterward.

The Bigger Picture Behind Harland & Wolff’s Revival

The crane refurbishment forms part of a broader transformation underway across the Harland & Wolff shipyard. Navantia UK acquired the historic yard’s assets in 2025 after its previous owner entered administration.

• Harland & Wolff is returning to the warship market through a contract valued at nearly £160 million.
• The yard will build three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
• These vessels rank as the second-largest in Britain’s armed forces, behind Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.

Programme manager Peter Rusk said Goliath simply “needs this investment” after years of inactivity, calling both cranes genuinely iconic for the city.

Navantia’s Wider UK Investment Strategy

Belfast isn’t the only UK site benefiting from Navantia’s expansion plans. The Spanish shipbuilder is spreading investment across multiple fabrication yards nationwide.

• A further £60 million is going into Navantia UK’s three other fabrication yards.
• Those additional sites include Appledore in North Devon, plus Arnish and Methil in Scotland.
• CEO Donato Martínez said European shipbuilding demand is currently “booming” across the continent.

Martínez noted Spanish, French, Italian, and Dutch yards are all running near capacity, reinforcing why Navantia is scaling up UK operations now.

What This Means for Belfast’s Shipbuilding Future

Harland & Wolff’s Samson and Goliath refurbishment signals genuine confidence in Belfast’s shipbuilding revival, not just symbolic preservation. Rising UK defence spending is directly driving this renewed activity at the historic yard.

• Increased European shipbuilding demand supports Navantia’s broader UK expansion strategy.
• The cranes’ historic status, recognised by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, adds cultural weight to this project.
• Belfast’s shipyard, once home to Titanic’s construction, is positioning itself for modern naval contracts.

This overhaul effectively marks the practical return of large-scale shipbuilding capability to Belfast’s docks after more than two decades of dormancy.

Final Word

This £3.1 million overhaul reflects genuine operational need, not nostalgia. With Goliath returning in September and naval contracts already secured, Belfast’s shipyard is positioning for real, sustained shipbuilding activity again.

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