The massive machine can lift 1,350 tonnes – equivalent to 193 double deck buses or over 2 A380 superjumbos

The crane will erect the South Tower of the cable car which begins this week following the construction of the North Intermediate Tower last month.

The crawler crane was put together on-site over a period of two weeks and delivered on more than 70 articulated lorries.

Once fully assembled, it will have a reach of 120m and a height of 183m – making it the largest crawler crane in the UK.

Mace is main contractor on the crossing which will create a direct link between the O2 and ExCeL and additional interchange between the Docklands Light Railway and Jubilee line.

Crane operator Weldex has been overseeing the installation and will be working closely with Mace to deliver the Emirates Air Line.

Matt Randall, Mace’s Project Director on the Emirates Air Line project said: “It is very exciting to see this soon-to-be iconic London landmark becoming a reality and this crane installation allows us to reach the next significant milestone of this impressive project.

“We need the largest capacity crane to help us meet the challenge presented by constructing this Tower in the Thames. Credit must go to the entire project team for the work continuing on schedule for this latest important milestone.”

Once complete the South Tower will be the tallest of the three towers and will be the only one built in the Thames itself.

Made up of approximately 6,500 steel pieces measuring between 30-50 mm long the total weight when finished will be 568 tonnes, making it also the heaviest tower.

A video of the cable car in action and how the tower will look