Approximately 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, a Liebherr HS 8200 duty cycle crawler crane is integral to the largest construction project in Greenland's history. Munck Civil Engineering is executing dredging work for two airport projects using this crane, facing significant challenges posed by Arctic conditions and logistics.
The new airports will facilitate direct flights from Europe and North America for larger aircraft. The construction sites are located in the coastal towns of Ilulissat and Nuuk in western Greenland, where, until now, only propeller-driven planes could land. The new runway in Ilulissat extends partially into the sea, necessitating the removal of a thick layer of clay sediment from the seabed to prevent future settlement.
“In one day shift, our extraction rate can be up to 1,000 cubic metres of excavated clay material,” stated construction manager Kevin van den Bos.
The 200-tonne duty cycle crawler crane operates with a 35-meter long boom and a clamshell grab with a capacity of 3.5 cubic meters. To maximize productivity, the HS 8200 is equipped with Liebherr’s Dredging Assistant, which provides real-time data on the grab’s position and fill level, the number and duration of work cycles, and handling performance. This system also aids in calculating the material required for the runway backfill.
Munck Civil Engineering sources all rock material for the runway within the project boundaries.
“In total, we have to drill and blast around 5.5 million cubic metres of rock material. We then transport this to the construction section so that we can subsequently build a 2-kilometre long runway,” van den Bos explained.
Following the dredging phase, the duty cycle crawler crane is fitted with a stone grab to position stones along the new runway as part of the coastal protection program. The average summer temperature in this region is 8°C, dropping to -35°C in winter.
“It is very important for us to complete the dredging work before the ice spreads in the bay and makes our work impossible,” van den Bos emphasized.
The duty cycle crawler crane was supplied with the Liebherr cold package to ensure operational efficiency in cold climates. In addition to the harsh weather, logistics present a significant challenge. The region is serviced by a ship only once a week, which also delivers parts and equipment for Munck Civil Engineering. Therefore, maintaining a large inventory and the capability to perform repairs on-site is crucial for the company in this remote area.
Munck Civil Engineering operates the HS 8200 six days a week in 10-hour shifts, and van den Bos is highly satisfied with the crane’s performance.
“The machine runs really well and has exceeded our expectations. We will finish even earlier than anticipated. That is really positive,” he remarked.
