Offshore staff
SCHIEDAM, the Netherlands – Jumbo-SAL-Alliance has transported platform modules including a living quarters module, helideck, and flare boom for Kiewit Offshore Services.
The heavy lift vessel Fairmaster and her crew first mobilized in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, then sailed to Marystown, Canada, where all cargo items were loaded, stowed, and shipped to Ingleside, Texas for discharge.
According to the company, Kiewit was looking for a custom solution to transport its offshore modules safely, fully assembled, and on one voyage.
Maarten De Gruyter, Jumbo’s project manager, said: “We were able to offer the most cost-efficient solution which was engineered and tailor-made just for this cargo. Specific studies were made for the deck strength and the tight lifting operations.”
Due to the weight and size of the living quarters module, Kiewit was initially looking to ship all their cargo via a RORO vessel or a deck carrier. However, it was not keen on exposing its cargo to all the weather elements while at sea.
The company said it convinced the client through a 3D simulation, stowage plan and detailed engineering that all its cargo could fit securely onboard the Fairmaster while staying inside the ship’s parameters. Some of the cargo could be stowed safely below deck protecting it from the weather. The cargo secured on deck would be exposed to minimal elements and acceleration forces at sea.
“The lifting of these modules in between the ship’s two cranes safely was a difficult engineering challenge,” said Mark Tetteroo-Pat, lead engineer.
To meet the required deck space, the crew extended the Fairmaster’s deck with the use of the ship’s tween decks.
According to the company, each cargo item required a custom and precise rigging plan. It used 160 tons of rigging material (lifting beams, grommets and shackles) in each crane to load the 1,293-ton living quarters module.
The Fairmaster and crew first loaded the 145-metric ton flare boom and other project cargo items, securing them below deck in the hold. When the hatches were closed, the crew lifted the bigger pieces using both 1,500-metric ton capacity cranes. First, the helideck was loaded on the vessel’s forward deck and then the 53 x 24 x 18 m (174 x 79 x 59 ft) living quarters module was maneuvered between the pedestals of both cranes. Two other cargo items were also loaded on the aft deck of the vessel.
01/18/2022
