The Netherlands: Mobile Offshore Crane Successfully Performs 1.500 Tonnes Lift

The Spacelift MC 35000 DLS is an unique mobile marine crane with 1.500 tonnes lifting capacity, and stands for a new era in the offshore industry. The system’s architecture, combined with all other technical innovative features of this crane, marks the beginning of a new generation mobile offshore cranes. With this new product Zwagerman meets the increasing demand for high performance of heavy lifts.

The Spacelift MC 35000 DLS®, a heavy lift offshore crane developed by Zwagerman International, is now ready for operation. The crane is installed on the “Conquest MB I”, a vessel owned by Conquest Offshore BV. Conquest Offshore BV is a Dutch Joint Venture between Concordia Offshore BV and Zwagerman Offshore Services BV for offshore transportation, removal, refurbishment and construction activities. Both companies have a proven track record of success in the marine and offshore industry.

The Spacelift MC 35000 DLS® It is designed as “Mobile Marine Crane”, which means that the heavy lift crane is mounted on a pedestal foundation with a selfsupporting foot frame, which can be positioned on deck of a barge/vessel. So far, this is the first heavy lift offshore crane in the world to be built according to this design.

The Dynamic Load System (DLS) dynamically enhances the load capacity of the crane. Four cylinders on the back of the crane are placed with bogies on a 18 metre diameter ring. The cylinders pull when a load is lifted and push when the crane is stationary to balance the counterweight. The capacity of the DLS is 1.000 metric tons and the counterweight is 450 metric tons. Together with the base structure of the crane this generates enough moment of force to perform heavy lifts up to 1500 metric ton.

With the universal base and the heavy duty double boom of 63-75 m, the lifting capacity of the crane can reach up to 21,000 tonmeter ™, 1,080 metric ton at a working radius of 20.5 meter. The main hoist of 1500 metric tons is ideal for the installation of offshore wind foundations, de-commissioning or salvage of shipwrecks. The double boom can easily be changed to a 97 m or even 124 m long single boom.

The barge is equipped with a accurate and automated anti-healing system which stabilizes the barge by pumping water to different ballast tanks in the hull. In addition to the space and weight taken by the crane the barge Conquest MB I offers a further free deck space of 3668m² for 9,000 tons of cargo.

In the presence of Classification society and TÜV the 1500 ton lift has been performed successful. The Conquest MB I will start on a long term engagement for the installation of foundation work for Offshore wind power stations.

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Press release, November 16, 2012; Image: Conquest Offshore