Crane ships are powerful ocean going vessels which are mounted with massive cranes for handling heavy loads. Mainly used for construction facilities and salvaging activities at the high seas, heavy lift crane vessels can be normal crane vessels, semi submersibles, or sheerlegs.
In this article we have mentioned five massive crane ships which are used for different types of offshore jobs and are famous around the world for their enormous size and load carrying capacities.
1. SSCV Thialf
SSCV Thailf is a heavy lift crane ship which is used for a number of offshore conduction jobs.
SSCV Thialf – Representation Image – Credits: flickr.com
With a load lifting capacitance over 14,000 tons, the deep water construction vessel is equipped with two cranes.
2. Saipem 7000
Saipem 7000 is a semi-submersible crane vessel with hosting capacity of 7000 tonnes.
Credits: Schumi4ever/wikipedia.org
The crane vessel is equipped with the finest ballasting technology and thrusting system. The dynamically positioned vessel also has accommodation facility for a crew of 700 people.
3. Sheerleg Kaisho
Sheerleg Kaisho is one of the biggest crane ships operating at the sea.
With a hosting capacity of 4100 tonnes, Kaisho is mainly used for offshore marine construction work, salvaging activities, and heavy cargo handling.
4. Yoshida
With the hosting capacity of 3700 tonnes, Yoshida is a floating crane ship with a difference.
Credits: binmei jp/YouTube
It has got four crane hooks – each with an individual hoisting capacity of over 900 tonnes – and a 10 metre length of the boom. The Sheerleg is operated by the Mitsubishi conglomerate.
5. Asian Hercules II
Asian Hercules II is a floating sheer leg crane vessel owned by the Asian Lift.
Credits: wikipedia.org
It has a lifting capacity of 3200 tonnes and can even accommodate 34 people. The heavy lift vessel has a speed of 7 knots.
Do you know any other massive crane ships? Let us know in the comments below.
M 7000 lifting capacity is 7500 tons ea crane . Total 15.000 tons.
Another category of heavy lift vessels are the ‘float-over’ type barges and ships, the biggest being the H-851 from Heerema Marine Contractors and the Pioneering Spirit owned by Allseas. In fact these vessels have a far larger lifting capacity (up to 48,000t for the Pioneering Spirit) than any other type of heavy lift vessel.
Several large crane vessels have been added in recent years: Aegir (Heerema Marine Contractors; revolving pedestal crane 4,000t), Asian Hercules III (Boskalis/Asian Lift; shear leg 5,000t), Bokalift-1 (Boskalis; revolving pedestal crane 3,000t) and Hyundai-10000 (Hyundai Heavy Industries; shear leg 10,000t).
And in 2019 the Sleipnir is supposed to come into operation, a semi-submersible crane vessel owned by Heerema Marine Contractors, equipped with two revolving cranes with a lifting capacity of 10,000t each.