SALZBURG, Austria — Offshore cranes manufacturer Palfinger has signed a long-term development agreement with Optilift.
They will collaborate to integrate Optilift's technology into the control systems of remotely operated offshore cranes, under a contract that Aker BP awarded Palfinger last year.
Terms call for delivery of seven cranes to Aker BP’s platforms on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, five of which will be fully remote operated from an onshore control room in Stavanger.
The first cranes are due to be delivered in 2025, with offshore commissioning of the remote operations capability following between 2026 and 2028.
Georg Vidnes, senior vice president of operations at Aker BP, said, “The ability to remotely control cranes from shore is a first step, followed by innovations to load and offload equipment without manual intervention—reducing the risk to personnel from equipment handling.
“Our ambition is that equipment can be brought onto an offshore installation by autonomously operated crane systems, such that equipment stands ready when personnel arrive at an unmanned or normally unmanned installation.”
According to Palfinger, the aim is to have autonomous cranes transferring cargo from supply vessels to platforms with no human intervention, including in rough weather, and with minimized maintenance.
The collaboration with Optilift will continue through the technology qualification process until the development is market-ready, coinciding with the start of production at the Aker BP offshore installations in 2027.
10.31.2023
