19.07.2025

Spain's first fibre crane

Steel maker ArcelorMittal has installed a 40 tonne Liebherr 1188 EC-H Fibre tower crane at its Gijón facility in Spain, where it will assist in the construction of an electric arc furnace. The company claims that this is the first time a fibre rope equipped tower crane has been used in the country.

The crane has a maximum radius of 90 metres at which point it can handle 9.1 tonnes, while the maxium free standing height is 94.2 metres. Fibre rope not only weighs less than steel rope, but according to the manufacturer it provides up to four times the service life along with reduced maintenance. The crane features the Litronic control system with load swing damping and micro positioning features.

managing directormSenén Fernández, Gruisa said: "The use of fibre technology allows us to handle maximum loads over longer distances, while the Litronic control system enables very precise and safe crane operation."

The electric arc furnace construction forms part of ArcelorMittal's European decarbonisation strategy aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in steel production.