• Wednesday, 16 May, 2012

The heavy mob continues to show its strength

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 26 August 2004 23:15 GMT

Heerema can choose from three heavy-lift vessels, with Thialf and Hermod as the most likely choice for North Sea work.
Thialf has a theoretical maximum lift capacity of 14,400 tonnes when its two cranes are combined, though as with any crane, this is quickly compromised as reach extends, or in a complex lift.

Hermod has a 4500-tonne and a 3500-tonne crane, while Saipem's chief weapon, crane barge S7000, has a pair of 7000-tonne cranes.

Beyond these three big vessels, there are one or two others that could eat into the smaller end of the market.

Stanislav Yudin, for example, operated by Stolt company Seaway Heavy Lifting, is one such vessel. However, as a shipshape unit it is restricted to lighter work and the slightly kinder environment of the central and southern North Sea.

Nor are the heavy-lift companies standing still in strengthening their own options.

Heerema has done study work on using its "enormously strong" transport barge H851 for removal work, particularly of jackets. "It's a reverse launch in slow motion," says director Steve Preston. "We ballast the barge to a post-launch inclination and then winch a jacket aboard using buoyancy assistance and the rocker arms."

All this adds to the difficulties of making a business case for single-lift concepts. "An unpredictable market does not lead to investments," says Preston. "Another problem for single lifters," he points out, "is that there are hardly two jackets in the North Sea that look the same".

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