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After four months and more than 400 deliveries, the world's largest crane is now at Hinkley Point C.

The SGC 250, developed by Sarens, is described by the company as "the largest in its fleet and the mightiest in the world in both size and capacity" will be used at the £20 billion nuclear power plant near Bridgwater.

The monstrous crane has a maximum load moment of 250,000 tonne-metres and can lift an astounding 5,000 tonnes.

It also has a maximum boom length of 160 metres, and will travel along six kilometres of rail that is being laid for it at the nuclear power plant site.

Collett Team, a company that specialises in transporting abnormal loads and heavy lifts, were tasked with the "logistical challenge" of unloading and transporting the "massive structure" in hundreds of separate parts.

(Image: Collett)

Beginning in April and across the four following months, Collett undertook over 400 deliveries to Hinkley Point C over a 45-mile journey from Avonmouth.

A spokeswoman for the company explained the procedure: "With this tight timeframe in which to discharge the vessel, Collett utilised port cranes, mobile cranes and seven specialist vehicles, arranging and delivering each of the components to an agreed plan.

"With a designated laydown area at the Port, Collett systematically transported each of the cargoes to their designated storage plot, allowing ease of access to deliver each component in line with their specific construction schedule."

Collett began transporting each of the crane components to the Somerset construction site with the help of a delivery management system, dedicated routes for the deliveries and pre-arranged dates and timeslots.

(Image: Collett)

Once constructed, the crane will be responsible for lifting Hinkley Point C's heaviest components.

It is planned that more than 600 heavy fabrications, including the five major parts of each unit's steel containment liner and dome will be positioned by the SGC-250.

How the world's largest crane works and what it can do

(Image: Sarens)

The gigantic crane will be operated by a team of specially trained riggers and crane operators.

A Sarens spokesman said the crane will perform a number of specialist tasks and lift thousands of tonnes of materials.

He said: "Once on site, the SGC 250 may need to perform lifts at night, using an anti-collision system.

"This would be done to minimize disruption during the day, when 52 tower cranes will be operating at the work site.

"With everything in place, the SGC 250 will begin performing various lifts ranging from 50 tonnes to 1.150 tonnes or more.

"It will pick up and install prefab concrete elements, steel structures, and reactor equipment directly from each prefabrication position."

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