Acergy contracted Huisman to build the crane as part of a $500m ship renovation project, which will equip the vessel for global deepwater operations in harsh environments.
The offshore mast crane, which Huisman says is its heaviest and most complex to date, is the largest of its kind in the world. The 5,000t crane uses two 2,500t hoisting blocks and a 1,200t auxiliary hoist with a heave compensator.
Another auxiliary winch on the top of the fly jib has an additional 110t lifting capacity. The system uses four load tuggers and five block tuggers, with a custom slew bearing system.
Huisman arranged the transportation of the crane from its Zhangzhou, China production facility to the Sembawang, Singapore shipyard for installation.
Over several days, the firm installed the, slewing section, boom and finally the mast. Each component, weighing approximately 1,000t, was installed on a separate day.
After load testing is completed, the ship will go to Huisman’s production facility in the Netherlands, where engineers will install the 600t S-lay system used to install pipe in shallow and medium depth waters. Acergy will deliver the completed ship to its client in the first half of 2012.
