Italian manufacturer Sormec supplies specialist cranes to Nigerian OSV
Global offshore crane manufacturer Sormec has supplied matching cranes for a Dutch-built vessel operating in one of Nigeria's largest deepwater oil fields, the company said in its press release.
The Italian firm was tasked with manufacturing two M350/EL hydraulic elbow knuckle-boom marine cranes for the Awaritse Nigeria Ltd vessel Prince Job I, now based in Chevron’s Agbami Field (see notes to editors). The Sicilian company, which operates in 42 countries worldwide, supplied the cranes for the 69m-long offshore supply vessel which was built at the DeHoop Shipyard in Rotterdam.
Sormec chief executive Santo Sorrentino said the M350/EL crane is particularly popular on offshore vessels as it is compact, reliable, easy to manoeuvre and takes up minimal deck space.
The Prince Job I has been designed to fulfil a wide range of offshore operations in the Chevron oilfields. This includes the discharge of pipeline liquids, offshore inspection, maintenance and repair. The flexibility offered by installing two knuckle-boom cranes onboard will be invaluable to its crew.
“Building and installing two identical cranes on the same vessel was quite unusual but it gave us the opportunity to further develop our expertise,” said Mr Sorrentino. “Attention to detail is key to Sormec’s work. Every welded piece of metal, every bolt, every wire, every detail was rigorously tested.
Sormec, which exhibited at the prestigious Nor Shipping conference in Oslo in June, manufactures bespoke hydraulic lifting systems for ships, vessels, oil rigs, barges and offshore services. The firm has consistently increased its global market share in the last 25 years by delivering innovative, tailor-made cranes for marine and offshore customers all over the world.
Mr Sorrentino said consistent investment in manufacturing innovative, bespoke solutions for customers and a commitment to providing a meticulous 24-hour after sales service is central to Sormec’s offering.