Italian lifting equipment manufacturer ASCOM S.p.A. has started building what it says will be the world's largest boat hoist, a machine capable of lifting vessels weighing up to 1,700 tons.
The hoist, named the BHT 1700 S.Ton, pairs ASCOM's hydraulic lifting systems with a multi-axle mobile chassis engineered for stability and precise manoeuvring in ports and shipyards, according to the company.
Andrea Cuoghi, ASCOM's managing director, described the project as a showcase of the firm's engineering capabilities. "Building the world's largest boat hoist is a statement about what ASCOM's engineering team is capable of," Cuoghi said, adding that the machine "pushes our hydraulic and structural design well beyond our previous benchmarks."
ASCOM plans to unveil exclusive renderings of the hoist at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026, where it will exhibit at booth #DS69 in the Darse Sud section from 23-26 September 23. The company has not disclosed further details about the machine's delivery timeline or eventual deployment, citing confidentiality.
Based in Formigine, in Italy's Modena province, ASCOM manufactures travel lifts, boat hoists and port cranes for the marine and industrial sectors.
