Global Rigging & Transport (GRT) Successfully Demolishes 170ft 1200 ton STS Crane in Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

GlobalRigging & Transport
Aug 29
2 min read

Campbell River, BC – March 2025 – Global Rigging & Transport (GRT), in partnership with AMIX, has successfully completed the demolition of a 1996 STS (ship-to-shore) crane a 50-LT unit in Campbell River. Having reached the end of its expected service life, the crane was moved from Vancouver to Campbell River by barge before being demolished using a meticulously engineered controlled-fall technique that prioritised efficiency, precision and safety.

Project Highlights

Crane Model: ZPMC ship‑to‑shore gantry crane, with a single‑lift capacity of 50 long tons (LT) under the spreader.
Crane Dimensions:
1. Approximately 170ft tall
2. Approximately 1200 tons
Engineered Demolition Process:
1. All oils, hydraulics and lubricants were safely purged and removed to ensure environmental safety.
2. Structural bracing to stabilize the crane in fall location.
3. A series of strategic cuts to weaken key load‑bearing members.
4. Final precision severing of support lines, guiding the crane’s controlled fall to within inches of the designated footprint—demonstrated clearly in the accompanying demolition video.

Leadership Quote

“Kenny Zappitelli, GRT Supervisor, reflected on the operation:

“The demolition went flawlessly. Thanks to our precision-engineered method, the crane fell exactly where we intended. As the port is non-operational, crane was safely toppled without any interruptions mitigating the risk factor to the surrounding waterfront. Our thanks to the team at AMIX who took care of the site, scrap and recycling after the demolition and were excellent partners on this project””

Collaboration

GRT executed the project in partnership with AMIX, showcasing a seamless coordination of resources, engineering excellence, and adherence to safety protocols. This effort illustrates GRT’s continued leadership in Ship to Shore crane (moving, erecting, maintenance and demolition), heavy‑lift logistics, controlled demolitions, and site rehabilitation across British Columbia.

We believe this to be one of, if not the first, STS crane demolitions in Canada.

About the Crane

The crane served reliably in Vancouver for nearly 30 years with an outreach exceeding 170 ft it will have handled over two million containers during its working life.

About GRT

Global Rigging & Transport (GRT) is a specialist in heavy lift, engineered transport, and crane services, trusted by ports and industries around the world for over 25 years. Based in Surrey, BC, GRT Canada has completed projects across North, Central and South America, and beyond, from erecting and relocating ship-to-shore cranes to precision demolitions, load testing, and custom fabrication.

Our mission is simple: to deliver complex projects safely, on time, and with precision. With a proven record of innovation and reliability, GRT continues to be the partner of choice for terminals and industrial operators worldwide.

Media & Assets

A video accompanies this announcement, capturing the full demolition sequence the crane’s-controlled fall underscoring both the technical skill and precision involved.