World’s strongest cranes at new powerplant boost safety and Anglo-Aussie free trade

TWO of the world’s most powerful cranes now deployed in Northwich are doing their bit for both worker safety and Anglo-Australian trade relations.

Visible from miles around, the Aussie-made Marr M2480D luffing tower cranes are being used to build the Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant, a waste-fuelled power station which will eventually make enough electricity to supply 125,000 UK homes.

Each crane runs on rails and can lift a stagger 330 tonnes in one go, making them the most powerful of their type anywhere in the world.

The more they can lift, the fewer lifts they need to make, which is a significant factor when it comes to overall site safety.

Designed and built by fourth generation family firm, Marr Contracting, their use at the new Lostock plant has been made easier by the post-Brexit UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2021.

By way of celebration, Australian deputy high commissioner to the UK and FTA chief negotiator, Elisabeth Bowes, visited LSEP on Wednesday, June 12, at the invitation of Marr managing director, Simon Marr.

The cranes can lift around five times more weight than other similar luffing tower cranes (Image: Marr)

She said the cranes were evidence of the ‘strong two-way trade and investment’ between the two countries since the FTA agreement came into force a year ago.

Asked whether she’s always had a keen interest in heavy industry, she said: “Seeing these two beasts, I’m fast becoming a fan.

“The UK is now Australia’s second largest destination for overseas investment, and the UK is the second largest investor into Australia.

Representatives from Marr Construction, the Australian High Commission, and Black and Veatch, at Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant (Image: Newsquest)

“Together we’re making an important contribution to energy transition in both countries.”

Simon Marr, managing director of Marr Contracting, said: “The FTA means more opportunities for businesses in the UK and Australia to work together.

“We’ve already established strong relationships here since working on our first UK project, the Hinkley Point C Tunnelling & Marine Project, in 2017.

“And now with the FTA it’s easier for us to bid on other large-scale projects through access to UK construction frameworks.”