What should we call Dubai’s new super crane? It can hoist 400 double-decker buses, 25 wide-body jets

Dubai: Forget naming a star, a pet, or even your next-door neighbour’s questionable garden gnome. Drydocks World, Dubai’s original shipyard and proud DP World company, has thrown open the gates to a truly titanic task: naming the Middle East and Africa’s mightiest floating crane.

DP World is offering people the opportunity to name a 5,000-tonne behemoth and “win big”.

This isn’t just any crane; it’s a modern marvel, capable of hoisting the equivalent of 400 double-decker buses or a casual twenty-five wide-body aircraft. When fully extended, its 180-meter reach could give some of the tallest buildings in the city a run for their money in a “who is taller” contest.

This colossal beauty, currently being assembled by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (ZPMC), is set to grace Dubai’s waters in the summer of 2026. But the name needs to be decided now, before it’s permanently etched onto its metallic hide for decades to come.

Drydocks World, with a history stretching back to 1979 when the visionary Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum first opened its doors, has always been at the forefront of maritime innovation. Now, they’re inviting everyone – from seasoned engineers to aspiring poets and even those who just really like big machines – to help christen this latest addition.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said, “This crane is more than machinery. It’s a symbol of Dubai’s ambition, resilience and engineering excellence. We are building something extraordinary. Now we invite the people of Dubai to help give it a name that reflects our shared values, heritage, and vision for the future.”

Captain Rado Antolovic, PhD, CEO of Drydocks World, chimed in, highlighting how this crane “represents the next leap forward in scale, capability, and innovation.”

So, how do you get your brilliant brainwave immortalised on this steel leviathan? Simple! Residents are encouraged to suggest a name that oozes strength, maritime heritage, innovation, and the UAE’s future. Entries can be written in Arabic or English, but please include a brief explanation of their meaning and inspiration.

A panel of experts, including Drydocks World leadership, Emirati cultural figures, and even branding specialists (because even a giant crane needs good branding), will meticulously shortlist the entries.

And the prize for this monumental effort? Forget a pat on the back. DP World is offering one lucky winner a signed full-size 2025 McLaren Racing helmet.

What will be the name whispered among seafarers and admired by engineering enthusiasts for generations to come?