February 4, 2016 – MacGregor, part of Cargotec, can now offer the offshore industry a technology-leading fibre-rope crane. The crane has been developed by combining MacGregor’s proven offshore crane technology with the fibre-rope tensioning technology perfected by Parkburn Precision Handling Systems. The companies have entered into a cooperation agreement to combine MacGregor’s offshore crane expertise with Parkburn’s fibre-rope tensioning technology.
“MacGregor recognises that by partnering with experts in specific technological areas, it can deliver solutions that exceed its own capabilities,” says MacGregor’s Vice President, R&D and Technology, Baard Trondahl Alsaker. “We see ourselves as being able to integrate the best technology available to deliver systems with technology-leading capabilities.”
The new MacGregor crane features a simple-to-operate fibre-rope lifting system that employs Parkburn’s unique tensioning technology. The Parkburn equipment eliminates the heating and degradation problems associated with on-load fibre ropes stored on winch drums. Importantly, it can accommodate non-uniformities resulting from splices in the rope.
“This is an important advance for handling loads at depth,” says Mr Alsaker. “The great advantage of fibre rope in this context is that it weighs virtually nothing in water, so regardless of the length of rope paid out, it does not add anything to the load experienced by the crane. This is in complete contrast to the situation with wire rope, where the ever increasing weight of wire paid out limits the load permissible in relation to depth.”
The new crane will be introduced to the market as a 150T fully heave-compensated knuckle boom crane with capability of reaching 4000m of water depth, but the offering will be extended to the complete range of MacGregor subsea crane fleet.
The MacGregor fibre rope technology is also suitable for retrofit on existing subsea cranes. This enables upgrading the capabilities of existing construction vessel fleet without having to build new vessels, an important feature to meet the requirement for reducing the cost level of the industry.
Parkburn is a UK-based marine handling systems provider that has spent over 40 years perfecting the deep-water handing systems required in fire-rope cranes. Its fibre-rope winch system can be delivered as digitally controlled electrically-driven, or hydraulic-driven. Features include integral active-heave compensation and power regeneration capabilities.
Click link to see the animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrGG1jNTvjQ
MacGregor fibre-rope crane: smaller crane to lift heavier loads, deeper. It has less rope wear and greater power efficiency. The MacGregor fibre-rope technology is also suitable for retrofit on existing subsea cranes. The fibre-rope winch system can be delivered as digitally controlled electrically-drive or hydraulic driven.
For more information please contact:
Baard Trondahl Alsaker, Vice President, R&D and Technology, MacGregor
Tel. +47 90 63 8064, Email: baard.alsaker@macgregor.com
or
Heli Malkavaara, Senior Communications Manager, MacGregor
Tel. +358 20 777 4500, Email: heli.malkavaara@macgregor.com
MacGregor shapes the offshore and marine industries by offering world-leading engineering solutions and services with a strong portfolio of MacGregor, Hatlapa, Porsgrunn, Pusnes and Triplex brands. Shipbuilders, owners and operators are able to optimise the lifetime profitability, safety, reliability and environmental sustainability of their operations by working in close cooperation with MacGregor.
MacGregor solutions and services for handling marine cargoes, vessel operations, offshore loads, crude/LNG transfer and offshore mooring are all designed to perform with the sea. www.macgregor.com
MacGregor is part of Cargotec. Cargotec’s sales totalled approximately EUR 3.4 billion in 2014 and it employs approximately 11,000 people. Cargotec’s class B shares are quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com
