Hiab Starts Search for 2016 World Crane Champion

Hiab, part of Cargotec, has launched a search for the 2016 World Crane Champion. The winner will be crowned at the finals, which will take place at the IAA exhibition in Hanover, Germany, in September 2016. USA-based crane operators will feature in qualifications rounds, which get underway in February.

The first-ever World Crane Championship in April 2015 gave crane operators from around the world the chance to showcase their skills and measure their abilities against their peers.

“The first World Crane Championship generated huge interest, and was such a success that we decided to continue it in 2016,” said Carl-Gustaf Göransson, senior vice president, sales, markets and services, Hiab.

“The competition proved to be an excellent way for us to meet experienced crane operators, and interact with our customers. It was also a great way to demonstrate our newest products and to promote the load-handling industry.”

Qualification rounds for the 2016 World Crane Championship will start in February, with heats to be held around the world. Already, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, the UK and the USA have signed up to participate. The winner will take home a prize of €25,000.

Contestants must demonstrate their skill and expertise in a timed trial that will challenge their ability to manoeuver a state-of-the-art mid range HIAB HiPro crane through a series of precise tasks and tight obstacles.

For more information and to sign up to compete in the qualification rounds, visit www.worldcranechampionship.com