LNG and port projects use heavy and crawler cranes; cyclone preparations stand down cranes. 9 listed suppliers are based in Karratha or service Western Australia.
What drives demand in Karratha
- LNG and gas facilities
- Iron ore and port works
- Town infrastructure
- Accommodation camps
Karratha is central to Pilbara resources, LNG, ports, civil construction and industrial shutdown work. Suppliers servicing Karratha commonly also cover Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham, Port Hedland.
Site conditions in Karratha
Pilbara coast with rock, red soils and cyclone exposure. Remote logistics, extreme heat, site specifications, accommodation and 24-hour support require early confirmation.
Cyclone season in the north runs November to April; summer heat across the interior affects machine cooling, operator fatigue and night-shift planning.
Machines commonly hired in Karratha
| Class | Size / spec | Typical jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Crane truck (VLC) | 5–100 metre-tonne | Deliver and place materials, trusses, pods and small plant |
| Pick-and-carry (Franna) | 20–40 t | Moving loads around site, steel erection, shutdown work |
| City / compact slewing | 20–60 t | Tight urban lifts, roof plant, air-conditioning units |
| All-terrain slewing | 60–400 t + | Tilt panels, bridge beams, wind and energy components |
| Crawler crane | 50–750 t | Long-duration heavy lifts, piling support, major infrastructure |
Brief the supplier properly
Give the load, radius and height
Supply load weight including rigging, dimensions, the pick-up point, set-down point and the horizontal distance from where the crane can stand. Drawings help.
Prove the set-up area
Outriggers impose large point loads. Identify buried services, pits, basements, soft ground and slopes where the crane will set up, and ask about outrigger mats.
Plan around people and traffic
Road or footpath occupancy may need council permits, traffic controllers and after-hours scheduling. Allow lead time for approvals.
Agree the lift plan
Complex, tandem or near-capacity lifts need a documented lift plan. Confirm who prepares it and who supervises rigging.
For Karratha specifically, tell the supplier the exact site address so they can confirm the depot the machine will come from, the travel or float charge and any WA permit needs.
Licences and rules in WA
- Crane operators must hold the relevant High Risk Work Licence: CV (vehicle loading crane ≥10 metre-tonnes), CN (non-slewing mobile crane >3 t), C2/C6/C1/C0 (slewing mobile cranes by capacity).
- Dogging (DG) or rigging (RB, RI, RA) licences are required for slinging loads and directing the crane when the operator cannot see the load.
- Mobile cranes require an annual inspection and log book; ask for current inspection records for major lifts.
- WHS regulator for Karratha: WorkSafe WA (mining: Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety). Oversize transport: WA is not part of the national heavy vehicle scheme. Oversize and overmass permits are issued by Main Roads WA Heavy Vehicle Services.
What drives the cost in Karratha
- Minimum hours (often 3–4 hours) and travel time from the depot
- Crew: dogger or rigger in addition to the operator
- Counterweight transport for larger slewing cranes
- Traffic control, permits and road occupancy fees
- After-hours, weekend and public-holiday rates
- Distance from the supplier’s depot to your Karratha site
See the plant hire cost guide for indicative 2026 rates.