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Pasco Crew Dismantled Massive Crane for Japan

The 3,000-ton capacity LTL-3000 crane was taken apart in Pasco to support nuclear power projects in Japan.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Nuclear

Disassembled steel crane components sit on an industrial dock near a river, ready for international shipment to a nuclear power facility.
A 3,000-ton capacity crane is dismantled at a Pasco site to be transported by barge to the Ohma nuclear facility in Japan. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Employees in Pasco worked in late September 2026 to dismantle the massive LTL-3000 crane for transport to Japan. The massive machine is headed to the Ohma nuclear site to assist in the country's ongoing nuclear power recommissioning.

Why it matters

The relocation of this specialized heavy equipment is driven by Japan's efforts to bring nuclear power plants back online. The crane provides essential lifting capabilities for complex industrial construction projects at nuclear facilities.

The LTL-3000 crane reaches a maximum height of 520 feet and utilizes hydraulic motors to manage heavy loads. It is engineered to remain operational in wind speeds up to 44 miles per hour.

The players

Lampson International

This Pasco-based company is a global heavy-lift and transport services firm.

Logisteed

This Japanese logistics and supply chain organization commissioned the crane.

The details

Constructed as a pin-together system, the crane is designed to be broken down into pieces for transit. A 12-person crew spent 10 weeks dismantling the machine, which will travel via barge down the Columbia River.

Timeline

  1. Lampson International began manufacturing the crane in 2010.

  2. The crane remained in the Tri-Cities following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

  3. Testing and commissioning of the crane finished in 2014.

  4. Crews worked on dismantling the crane's triangle component in late September 2026.

  5. The crane is scheduled for reassembly in Japan in September 2027.

The Big Picture

This project underscores the ongoing evolution of international nuclear energy infrastructure following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The reactivation of this specialized hardware marks a significant shift in how nations approach the complex logistics of nuclear power site development.

The deployment of this heavy-lift technology could accelerate construction timelines for nuclear energy projects. Such specialized equipment is critical for installing large-scale reactor components that require high-capacity lifting precision.

The takeaway

Large-scale industrial equipment often has a lifespan spanning decades and can be redeployed across global markets as energy needs fluctuate. Maintaining specialized mechanical parts ensures that heavy machinery remains ready for future international projects.

What happens next

The crane is scheduled for reassembly at the Ohma nuclear site in September 2027.

Further reading

Learn more about local efforts related to the energy sector on the Nuclear section page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.

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