Scaldis Names Heavy Lifter

Antwerp-based Scaldis Salvage & Marine Contractors N.V. has chosen the name of Gulliver for its heavy lift, DP2 vessel currently under construction in China.

Gulliver, formerly known as RAMBIZ 4000 due to its lifting capacity, got its name following the keel laying ceremony held at the Hong Qiang shipyard near Shanghai on 27 February.

The ship is ordered to further support and expand Scaldis’ services, including the installation of offshore infrastructures and decommissioning-deconstruction activities for the oil and gas industry as well as the installation of offshore wind farms.

Gulliver has two Huisman cranes each with a lifting capacity of 2,000 tons. The ship also has extra carrying capacity of 3,000 tons. The cranes can be moved by 25 metres on the ship, allowing the deck to be used to transport and then relocate cargo at a later stage.

The ship and the cranes are an integrated design which allows the maximum load to be hoisted in wave heights of up to 1.5 metres. In these circumstances, the freeboard is not less than 3 metres anywhere on the vessel. In standby or transport modes, significant wave height can be as much as 7 metres. The maximum load can be lifted in water depths of around 5 metres.

The four azimuth thrusters and the DP II system allow installation work to be conducted in deeper water without the use of anchors. The crane ship is also equipped with 4 main working anchors and winches and 4 secondary devices.

The ship will be equipped with a so-called ‘moonpool’ for the purposes of operating a separate ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) for inspecting and supervising installation work on the seabed.

Gulliver also comes equipped with a helipad and room to accommodate 78 people.

The delivery is scheduled for spring 2017 in Europe.