Victoria Quay heritage cranes to be restored, repaired and repurposed

The three luffing cranes, dating from the early-to-mid 20th century, were decommissioned in the 1990s and have since stood as examples of the port’s early infrastructure and significant pieces of early maritime engineering.

The 1925 Babcock & Wilcox level luffing crane, measuring over twenty metres tall and weighing sixty tonnes, is the last remaining crane of this type at any Australian port.

Due to its historical importance, parts of the structure will be carefully disassembled and preserved, awaiting future plans for reinstallation and display.

The pair of 1952 Stothert & Pitt cranes will be disassembled, primed, and kept on-site, where components from both cranes will be used to construct a single crane. Luffing cranes of the 20th century typically had a working load of just a few tonnes, compared with the 65-tonne capacity of modern gantry container cranes, as seen on North Quay today.

The cranes will be dismantled one at a time, with work on the first crane to commence over the coming weeks, with the remainder of the works to be undertaken throughout 2023.

Future announcements on the location of the restored and refurbished cranes and updates to the ‘Future of Fremantle Plan’, will be shared via Fremantle Ports’ website and social media when available.

Fremantle Ports CEO Michael Parker said: “The retention of these visually striking iron giants will enhance the precinct and serve as ongoing visual reminders of our port’s early years.

“Right now though, we need to do this work, so the cranes are safe, and they don’t deteriorate further," he said. 

“Cranes of these types were once commonplace along both Victoria Quay and North Quay, handling breakbulk cargoes in the days before containerisation, and many people will remember that fondly, including former port workers," he explained.

“These are the only ones remaining in Fremantle and are reminders of a different era of cargo handling. We want to make sure they are maintained in a condition in which future generations can enjoy them.”

WA Museum CEO Alec Coles said: “The WA Museum is pleased to be working in partnership with Fremantle Ports, to establish a long-term and sustainable plan that will maintain the iconic heritage cranes at Victoria Quay."

"This work will proceed in tandem with the refurbishment of the submarine HMAS Ovens,” Mr Coles shared. “The cranes are not only historic in their own right, but dramatic elements of the evocative Fremantle skyline.”