As the offshore wind sector accelerates, dependable technical partners have become essential to project success.
Through specialist lifting solutions, advanced testing facilities and industry-leading engineering expertise, Durham Lifting supports developers, manufacturers and contractors in delivering safe, efficient and reliable operations throughout the supply chain.
Supporting offshore wind from port to project
Durham Lifting works across the offshore wind supply chain, supporting developers, Tier 1 contractors, fabrication yards, ports and vessel operators with lifting solutions tailored to individual project requirements.
The company regularly supports projects at multiple stages of delivery, from fabrication and assembly through to load-out operations, offshore installation campaigns and ongoing maintenance activities.
This experience across different project phases gives the team valuable insight into the operational challenges faced by customers, helping ensure lifting solutions are practical, efficient and aligned with project objectives.
From foundations, transition pieces and substations to offshore installation and maintenance, the team provides rigging solutions, heavy-lift sling packages, crane services and engineered lifting equipment.
Its in-house design team supports lifting beams and spreader frames from initial concept through to manufacture, backed by practical engineering advice throughout each project.
For increasingly large and complex lifts, specialist Dyneema sling solutions provide a lightweight alternative to traditional wire rope assemblies.
Combined with specialist shackles and Durham Lifting’s MultiSec range of spreader beams and frames, these systems support safer, more efficient handling from quayside operations through to installation at sea.
Keeping critical assets compliant and operational
The offshore wind sector demands a fast and reliable supply chain, where downtime can significantly impact project schedules.
Durham Lifting supports developers through rapid crane testing, thorough examinations of critical components and responsive maintenance services to keep wind farm assets safe, compliant and operational.
The company’s experienced engineers carry out inspections and examinations of cranes, lifting appliances, davits, winches and associated lifting systems, supported by load testing, certification, maintenance and repair programmes.
Guided by its commitment to quality and its core principle, ‘We do it right’, Durham Lifting helps customers maximise equipment availability while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Innovation is also central to the company’s approach. Its newly developed certification and asset management app provides customers with instant access to certification records and inspection histories, improving visibility, compliance management and operational efficiency.
For organisations managing large quantities of lifting equipment across multiple sites and projects, having immediate access to asset information can simplify administration, support mobilisation planning and make it easier to demonstrate compliance requirements when equipment is deployed in demanding operational environments.
A century of engineering excellence
As lifting requirements grow in scale and complexity, Durham Lifting continues to invest in its testing infrastructure, engineering expertise and digital capabilities, with proof-load testing from one to 3,000 tonnes at Britannia Test House in Middlesbrough.
Housed within one of Teesside’s most historic industrial sites, Britannia Test House forms part of the region’s proud engineering heritage.
The facility traces its roots back to the era when steel and engineering products manufactured on Teesside helped build iconic structures such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Tyne Bridge.
Today, that same spirit of engineering excellence continues as the site supports some of the world’s largest offshore wind, marine and heavy industrial projects.
With 10 dedicated test beds, Durham Lifting provides proof-load, tensile, compression and specialist testing across a wide range of lifting equipment.
The facility also enables customers to undertake project-specific testing programmes, supporting the verification of bespoke lifting equipment and load transfer systems under controlled conditions prior to mobilisation.
This flexibility helps provide assurance that equipment will perform as intended in service.
By combining industry-leading testing capabilities with specialist engineering support, inspection services and rapid certification access through its digital platform, Durham Lifting provides clients with the confidence that their equipment will perform safely and reliably in some of the most demanding operating environments.
“We’re incredibly proud to continue investing in Britannia Test House and preserving an important part of Middlesbrough’s engineering heritage,” said Amanda Gardiner, managing director.
“Our investment ensures that legacy continues while giving our customers the capability and assurance they need as lifting requirements become larger and more complex.”
A trusted project partner
For many clients, the value of Durham Lifting lies in the provision of specialist services through a single partner.
From lifting equipment and engineering support to statutory inspections and high-capacity testing at Britannia Test House, the company provides expertise across the full lifecycle of offshore wind projects.
That breadth of capability allows clients to approach complex lifting and testing requirements with greater confidence while reducing the need to engage multiple providers.
For more information, email info@durhamlifting.co.uk, call 01642 240672 or visit durhamlifting.co.uk
This story is also published in Insight Energy magazine, covering the latest news from the UK's energy sector. Read the latest edition here.
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