• 2016 June 29 18:44

    Sea Installer crane upgrade complete

    Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam (DSAm) has concluded major modification works on the Sea Installer. The principle scope of work involved the extension of the main crane boom, giving the A2SEA-owned offshore wind farm installation vessel increased reaching capacity: a pertinent point considering the trend of the increasing size of offshore wind turbine components. Other work comprised structural modifications as a consequence of the larger crane, the shipbuilding group said Wednesday in a press release.

    DSAm, part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, began the work by removing all crane-related components including the boom, boom rest, A-frame, winch and hook block pockets from the vessel. A2SEA supplied the new A-frame and boom extension. Niron Staal, also part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, supplied the new boom rest, hook block pockets, trolley rail and support stools.

    Crane upgrade
    The crane boom was lengthened by inserting the new extension. The fact that all elements were composed of high tensile S690 steel had its consequences to the timing of the project. Damen Junior Project Manager Remco van Dam informs: “This material requires distinct and carefully planned procedures. You can cut it when it’s cold, but, before you weld it, you need to heat it with heating elements to 200°C to remove any traces of water.”

    “Then, after slight cooling, the welding itself needs to take place at the correct temperature in a protected environment. For this, we constructed air-tight welding tents.”

    Once complete, the weld in question was cooled prior to non-destructive testing after 48 hours. “We also performed our own initial checks after 24 hours in case any additional welds were needed. The main point with S690 is that you cannot rush things. If you go too fast, it can set you back 3 days.”

    Flexible crane modes
    The configuration of the upgraded crane is such that it can be operated in two modes: a long mode with the crane boom extension in place, and a short mode with the extension removed. The Sea Installer now has a flexible crane capacity of 900 tonnes in short mode and 700 tonnes in long.

    Two mobile Mammoet cranes lifted the extended crane boom back onto the vessel. To create a stable lifting foundation – allowing for a maximum of 0.3 degrees of tilt – the quayside was levelled prior to the vessel’s arrival at the yard. This required laying no less than 800 cubic metres of sand, topped off with 750 dragline crane mats.

    Action-reaction
    Installing the larger crane on the Sea Installer had numerous implications on existing on board structures. The boom rest had to be replaced, which in turn necessitated additional modifications to the accommodation area. In order to house the main hook and auxiliary hook in both long and short mode, the existing auxiliary hook block pocket was replaced with a new construction that comprised one main and two auxiliary hook block pockets.

    The bigger crane also needed a bigger winch: DSAm replaced the existing winch with a larger, 900-tonne capacity, winch. This included all the necessary adjustments of the electrical, hydraulic and cooling systems. The vessel’s main mast also needed structural modifications.

    With the 132-metre long vessel at the yard, DSAm also executed various standard maintenance jobs such as painting, pipe renewal and thruster inspection.

    Safe and cooperative
    As is standard working practice at DSAm, safety issues were top of the agenda for yard personnel and the vessel’s crew, who remained on board throughout the modification works. Daily meetings commenced with discussion of safety issues and heavy lift events were given special attention in so-called ‘tool-box’ meetings.

    The smooth running of the entire project was facilitated by the joint efforts of the DSAm and A2SEA personnel. “It has been a pleasure to work with the ship’s crew,” concludes Mr Van Dam. “There has been good communication throughout and this has helped us in many ways. For example, their involvement in adjusting the ship’s ballast tanks during such a heavy lift was crucial.”




2024 March 29

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16:47 VTTI and IKAV enter agreement to purchase majority ownership of Adriatic LNG, Italy
16:25 Mitsubishi Shipbuilding receives order from the University of Tokyo for "MiPoLin" power prediction and lines selection system
15:41 Wan Hai Lines holds naming ceremony for 13,100TEU newbuilding “WAN HAI A15”
15:10 MOL announces restructuring measures
14:45 Drewry predicts impact on container calls at US East Coast ports after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
14:25 Chevron’s first hybrid electric fueling barge arrives in Singapore
13:40 HD KSOE and Infineon sign MoU to develop ship electrification technology
13:29 NYK and JMU formulate method for evaluating ship performance in actual seas
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12:09 COSCO SHIPPING Ports throughput up by 4.4% YoY to 135,808,554 TEU in 2023
11:46 The "Ane Maersk" calls at the Eurogate container terminal in Hamburg for the first time on its maiden voyage from Asia to Europe
11:20 Sallaum Lines and Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding commence construction of Ocean Class vessels
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2024 March 28

18:05 Jan De Nul, ENGIE and Equans launch a pilot project centred around the use of Vanadium Redox Flow batteries
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16:25 DEME reports 22% increase in the orderbook and a record-high turnover of 3.3 billion euros in 2023
16:14 MABUX: Bunker Outlook, Week 13, 2024
15:41 AD Ports Group announced the opening of Saadiyat Marina & Ferry Terminal and Rabdan Marina
15:11 Sydney invests $11.5 million in two new operational vessels designed by Incat Crowther
14:55 China’s Jinzhao wins Peru $405m port construction contract
14:13 APM Terminals Moín handled six million TEU
13:48 ClassNK grants Innovation Endorsements for Products & Solutions to two innovative initiatives by MOL
13:37 Konecranes launches its flagship Konecranes X-series industrial crane
12:53 United European Car Carriers UECC spearheads collaboration with industry leaders to advance CNSL as a sustainable marine fuel
12:26 Ocean Network Express announces Transpacific service
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10:42 Maersk transported more than 660,000 TEU using clean fuel in 2023
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2024 March 27

18:22 Bureau Veritas awards world’s first prototype certification for SolarDuck’s floating offshore solar solution
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17:38 The Port of Rotterdam calls on the European Commission and Parliament to focus on actively promoting green energy
15:23 SEFE to become sole shareholder of WIGA
14:53 Ocean Installer secures yet another SLM contract with Equinor
14:23 Cadeler signs offshore wind turbine installation contract for the vessel Wind Scylla
13:42 Carnival Cruise Line orders 5th Excel-class cruise ship
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12:52 The Port Authority of Valencia launches the ZAL project in the Port of Valencia
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11:42 Wan Hai Lines holds ship naming ceremony for new vessels
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10:49 Seaspan Shipyards receives long-term contracts for the pre-construction work of the the Canadian Coast Guard's first six multi-mission vessels
10:14 Woodside completes sale of 10% scarborough interest

2024 March 26

18:02 COSCO Shipping Lines introduces new Americas service
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16:57 Terntank places an order for 1+1 additional wind/ methanol-ready hybrid tanker
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15:20 TotalEnergies and SINOPEC join forces to produce sustainable jet fuel at a SINOPEC's refinery
14:52 Wärtsilä Lifecycle Agreement to guarantee operational reliability of new wind farm installation vessel
14:23 Hudong-Zhonghua launches two LNG carriers
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13:12 Final sanctioned tanker with Russian Sokol oil to reach China port - Reuters
12:42 Adani Ports acquires 95% of Odisha's Gopalpur Port from SP Group for $162 million
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10:21 Eni, Fincantieri and RINA establish partnership for maritime transport decarbonization

2024 March 25

18:07 The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore continues to investigate reports of oil spills off the port of Tuas
17:31 “K” Line, NIPPON HAKUYO and OPT Gate sign an agreement for a new fire detection system for car carriers
17:07 Greek merchant fleet recorded slight decline in January 2024
16:47 Hanwha Ocean Plans to develop green technology and naval ships
16:25 U-Ming Singapore and ITOCHU sign milestone MoU for the joint development of ammonia dual-fuel and de-carbonized vessels
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