Smit Transport Europe has taken delivery of a new barge, the E3505, to be used by offshore crane vessel operators such as Heerema and Saipem to test cranes like the Thialf, Balder, Hermod and the Saipem S 7000.
The test barge was designed by Smit Engineering and measures 66m x 23m x 4m, making it suitable for heavy RoRo transport projects as well as the biggest test lifts in the world.
To accommodate clients’ requirements, lifting trunnions have been incorporated below deck level in place of pad eyes. Smit said that this would facilitate connecting and releasing client’s slings. When fully ballasted, the total test weight of the E3505 is 5500t.
