World‑first 250 000‑tonne‑metre Ring‑rail Crane Unveiled in Huzhou for Nuclear‑power Construction

According to China News Service, the world‑first 250 000‑tonne‑metre ring‑rail crane, developed by China Energy Engineering Corporation, completed its off‑line ceremony in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, on 31 August.

This heavy‑lifting piece of plant resolves key hoisting challenges for the Hualong‑1 2.0 “one‑unit, two‑island” construction methodology. Its completion marks a vital domestic breakthrough in ultra‑large‑tonnage nuclear‑construction lifting hardware and fills a long‑standing domestic technical gap within this specialised engineering domain.

The crane uses an extended‑reach fixed‑jib assembly combining a 137‑metre main boom with a 66‑metre auxiliary jib. Under medium‑and‑large‑radius working scenarios, its lifting capacity is roughly fifty‑per‑cent higher than comparable ring‑rail cranes manufactured overseas. One single unit can satisfy all hoisting demands for both nuclear islands, fully aligning with the innovative “one‑unit, two‑island” building workflow adopted for Hualong‑1 2.0 projects.

Full‑electric drive forms the core of its power system, delivering zero‑emission and low‑noise performance on‑site. Multiple digital safety systems are integrated into the equipment, including intelligent anti‑collision functions, 360‑degree panoramic monitoring and remote intelligent fault‑diagnosis modules. These built‑in digital capabilities cut down potential operational risks on complex construction sites.

The hardware will go through follow‑up commissioning and performance validation ahead of practical deployment at nuclear‑engineering sites. Its enhanced lifting envelope opens up new operational possibilities for large‑scale nuclear‑power builds, where heavy‑module handling and tight spatial constraints define site conditions. Engineering teams will carry out on‑site testing to verify real‑world reliability before formal commissioning.