SPMT in 7,500 tonne deck move by ALE(KHL)

Written by Alex Dahm - 06 Sep 2010

ALE used 320 lines of SPMT to move and load out a 7,500 tonne deck for the Buzzard field

ALE in the UK completed the site move and load out of an offshore petrochemical industry deck weighing 7,500 tonnes.

The production sweetening (PS) deck and bridge were part of the Buzzard Field Development Project in Hartlepool. The 7,500 tonne deck was 60 metres by 36 metres by 42 metres. A 500 tonne bridge, 80 metres long, connected the new deck to the existing Buzzard structure.

For the site move 320 lines of self propelled modular transporter (SPMT) were assembled in a separate area adjacent to the site. After the axles were inserted, the module was circled through 90 degrees for the main construction skid beams to be removed. The module was then driven forward about 1 kilometre to the load out site on the quay.

A conflict between the build stool location and the barge grillage location meant that the SPMT had to be inserted and removed to ensure correct positioning on the quayside. As the module was driven onto the barge it was ballasted before being positioned prior to sea fastening for transport.

Installation in the Buzzard field offshore was 35 miles from Peterhead in Scotland. It was the second unit ALE has loaded out for the Buzzard field. First was the QU deck with a total load out weight of 11,300 tonnes in 2006.

News link: http://www.khl.com/magazines/international-cranes-and-specialized-transport/detail/item58104/

Huisman opens new 62m high production hall in China

On Sunday 31 January 2010, Huisman, a specialist in heavy lifting, pipelay and drilling equipment officially opened their new production hall in China. This new hall is the company’s largest production hall, measuring 205m in length, 54m in width and 62m in height. The large height of the new hall and the available 2,000mt internal hoisting capacity allows the Huisman production facility in China to assemble products vertically, considerably enlarging the facility’s capacity in both the size and the number of products.

Huisman, already with production facilities in The Netherlands and the Czech Republic expanded operations to Fujian (Xiamen area) in 2007. Besides a 90m stinger, Huisman China delivered over 20 cranes, including three 800mt Heavy Lift Mast Cranes and several 300mt Pedestal Mounted Offshore Cranes. More cranes are currently under construction, including the 5,000mt Offshore Mast Crane for Acergy’s Borealis.

Huisman China is equipped with a total of 17 production halls, a shot blasting and painting hall and a maintenance facility which also accommodates a welding school. In addition, a separate shot blasting and painting facility is available. All products are thoroughly tested throughout the production process and before delivery to allow for fast installation, commissioning and testing onboard. Huisman is accessible for seagoing vessels and has access to heavy lift capacity enabling them to install equipment onboard.




In June 2009, Huisman China received the new ISO9001:2008 certificate without any major or minor NCR’s. With this certification, clients can be sure that Huisman China manufactures European quality equipment in the China facility.