World‑First 250 000‑tonne‑metre Ring‑rail Crane Rolls off Production Line in Zhejiang

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

This heavy‑duty lifting apparatus addresses long‑standing technical hurdles for construction and hoisting under the Hualong‑1 2.0 “one‑unit, two‑island” methodology. Its arrival marks a critical domestic breakthrough in China’s ultra‑large‑tonnage nuclear‑power lifting equipment sector and fills a domestic gap within this specialised engineering segment.

The crane deploys an extended fixed jib configuration combining a 137‑metre main boom with a 66‑metre auxiliary jib. Its lifting capacity under medium‑and‑large‑radius working conditions stands roughly fifty‑per‑cent higher than equivalent ring‑rail cranes manufactured overseas. A single unit is capable of fulfilling all hoisting requirements for both nuclear islands, fully matching the innovative “one‑unit, two‑island” construction workflow designed for Hualong‑1 2.0 projects.

Full‑electric drive forms the core of the machine’s power architecture, delivering zero‑emission and low‑noise operation on‑site. Multiple digital systems are integrated into the hardware, including intelligent anti‑collision functions, 360‑degree panoramic monitoring modules and remote intelligent fault‑diagnosis tools. These embedded digital capabilities mitigate operational hazards throughout complex construction workflows.

The equipment will move towards practical deployment for upcoming nuclear‑build programmes. Its performance envelope opens up new operational possibilities for large‑scale nuclear‑engineering sites, where demanding spatial constraints and heavy‑module handling tasks prevail. Engineering teams will carry out follow‑up commissioning and verification work to validate real‑world performance ahead of formal site application.