Image:Peter Grogan.
An industrial giant slid silently into Waterford Harbour this weekend—one that’s set to become the central figure in a landmark infrastructure effort for Ireland’s southeast.
On Saturday, May 17, the HEBO Lift 9, a floating sheerleg crane with serious muscle, arrived off Dunmore East, pulled by the tug Dutch Power. This wasn’t just another cargo delivery—it was the quiet beginning of a bold phase in Waterford’s North Quays Public Infrastructure Project.
HEBO Maritiemservice, the Dutch outfit behind the floating colossus, has a reputation for complex marine operations. And their Lift 9 crane is no lightweight. With a lift capacity of 800 tonnes, this floating giant measures 67 meters in length and 27 meters across. That’s roughly the size of a football pitch with the muscle to hoist an Airbus A380 off the ground.
The crane, now berthed at Frank Cassin Wharf, is standing by for the arrival of bridge segments that will form the North Quays’ Sustainable Transport Bridge—a centrepiece of Waterford’s transformation into a multi-modal, future-proofed transport hub.
So why the big fuss over a crane?
Because this isn’t just any bridge—it’s a bold attempt to connect Waterford’s city centre with the North Quays via a sustainable, pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly span over the River Suir. It’s part of a wider urban regeneration plan backed by Waterford City & County Council, aiming to reduce car reliance while supporting new commercial and residential growth.
“This marks a major moment in the delivery of public infrastructure to Waterford,” a Council spokesperson noted. “Towering and awe-inspiring, the Hebo 9 has now docked at Frank Cassin Wharf, where it awaits the arrival of additional barges carrying bridge sections.”
While bridge segments are still en route, the logistics behind the lift will demand pinpoint precision. Thankfully, HEBO Lift 9 is designed exactly for this kind of work. With dynamic positioning systems onboard, it can hold steady in the water despite currents, wind, or load shifts—vital for lowering heavy components into exact alignment across the river.
There’s no room for error here. Each lift must land with near surgical precision, as crews align structural components mid-river to support the bridge deck.
Local residents and passersby have already been stopping to take in the rare sight. The sheer scale of the floating crane against the Waterford skyline is hard to ignore. It’s not often a project of this scale comes to town—let alone one that promises to literally bridge a city’s future.
The crane’s arrival, and the anticipated lifts, mark one of the most visible stages yet in a development years in the making. As Waterford continues to reshape itself with smarter, cleaner infrastructure, all eyes will remain fixed on the river—and on the floating powerhouse now moored at its edge.
Source:Waterford News
