July 1 - Belgium-based crane manufacturer Sarens Group, working with California-based subsidiary Rigging International, is continuing to produce a 3,200 tonne capacity ring-based crane, the SGC 120 model, due to be available to customers early next year.

The company said the SGC 120 is an "innovative and versatile heavy lift crane system" which is "the product of the combined engineering efforts of Sarens and its newest group member, Rigging International of Alameda, California."

Sarens claims the SGC 120 is the only third generation 3,200 tonne lifting capacity crane in production, designed to accommodate the heavy lifting requirements for refinery, petrochemical, offshore platform and third generation components for both advanced pressurised water reactors (APWR) and advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR) nuclear power plant designs.

Its features include a ring design which ensures safe operation parameters, counterweights of 3,600 tonnes of locally-sourced material which can be left at the jobsite upon completion of work, low cost transportation because the SGC 120 is all containerised and containers are utilised for counterweight and six modular hydraulic winch systems provide redundant backup and ease of installation and replacement.