The Liebherr offshore crane order backlog for 2015 allows for a positive forecast, for contrary to the modest world economic development, especially in the oil and gas industry, the worldwide demand for Liebherr offshore cranes stays constant

With 87 units delivered in 2014, Liebherr offshore cranes achieved a new per year delivery record, more than doubling its delivery numbers from 2012. And according to Liebherr, well filled order books allow for an optimistic 2015 forecast despite a generally unstable world economic development, says a report.

'Our distinctly increasing turnover figures wouldn’t be possible without our new production site in Rostock, Germany, as well as our worldwide sales and service network. We are all working together as a team, always close to the customer to meet new needs before they arise. Our success proves that Liebherr offshore cranes are on the right track, despite the challenging economic environment,' says Wolfgang Kueng, sales director for Liebherr offshore cranes.

The BOS-series had already been the most successful offshore crane type in the Liebherr offshore product portfolio in 2012 and 2013. With 38 units delivered in 2014, the number of supplied units was doubled compared to 2012. The BOS 4200 had a significant impact on this positive development as customers opted for 22 cranes of this type.

This model features a maximum capacity of 150 metric tonnes and a boom length of 33 to 72 metres. Used in the oil and gas industry for heavy lift construction as well as wind plant installation, the BOS series is a slewing bearing offshore crane with rope luffing system and lattice boom.

In addition to the BOS success, Liebherr supplied 33 MTC deliveries in 2014, nearly quintupling 2013 deliveries. Mainly used for the oil and gas industry Liebherr MTC model series is a king post mounted offshore crane.

Additionally, through the new ram luffing knuckle boom series RL-K Liebherr extends its range of offshore cranes and offers its customers a convenient solution for general purpose but also subsea operations as well as pipe- and riser handling.

With the RL-K 7500 Liebherr offers an active heave compensation concept for subsea applications up to 3,660 m below water level. The crane can be rated both as general purpose offshore crane and as heavy lift crane, being able to hoist loads weighing up to 300 metric tonnes. It can thus be installed on board drill ships and also on pipe lay vessels.

The RL-K 4200 is next to general purpose operation mainly used for pipe- and riser handling on drill ships. The crane prime mover is either electric-hydraulic or diesel hydraulic. With a maximum capacity of 100 metric tonnes and a radius of up to 54 metres the RL-K 4200 covers a wide field of applications, the manufacturer says.

Liebherr says the ram luffing knuckle boom cranes opened up new market segments for the company in the offshore sector. The crane’s knuckle boom loads can be lowered to the water surface with a short rope length between crane boom head and water line. Furthermore, the crane is equipped with a number of advanced hydraulic, electric and electronic features and functions, some of which were submitted for patent by Liebherr, such as Heavetronic system (AHC).

The Liebherr offshore crane order backlog for 2015 allows for a positive forecast, the company says, adding that contrary to the modest world economic development, especially in the oil and gas industry, the worldwide demand for Liebherr offshore cranes stays constant. For that reason, Liebherr says it is optimistic that 2015 will be a good year for its offshore cranes.

Four Liebherr BOS 4200-85s Litronic on the drill ship Platinum Explorer

SELLS KNUCKLE BOOM CRANES TO CHINA

Recently, Liebherr offshore crane division signed a ground-breaking contract with its long-time partner Dalian Shipyard (DSIC Offshore). Liebherr RL-K 4200-100 LIT is testing the riser yoke on the test bed of Liebherr MCCtec-Rostock in Rostock, Germany.

Two state-of-the-art ram luffing knuckle boom cranes of the type RL-K 4200-100 LIT will be delivered for the new high-level semi-submersible BT 4000.

'We have already successfully delivered around 40 machines to DSIC to date, but this contract marks a new milestone for us at the Chinese offshore market,' says Gordon Clark, sales director of the Liebherr offshore crane division.

The cranes will have a maximum lifting capacity of up to 100 tonnes and will mainly be used for pipe-handling and supporting works on-board of the modern semi-submersible. However, the cranes may also be used for lifting goods from supply vessels to the platform – even under rough sea conditions.

With its new foldable boom design, accuracy is a major feature of the RL-K, significantly reducing sway and swing motions of attached loads during all types of lifting operations. All movements are controlled by an updated version of Liebherr Litronic control system. It allows high-accuracy load manipulation including digital control, storage and follow-up of all lifting data.

INNOVATIVE PIPE-HANDLING EQUIPMENT

To top all this, the cranes will be equipped with the newly developed pipe- and load-manipulators called ‘gripper yoke’ and ‘riser yoke’. The main feature of this modern load/crane interface is the possibility to rotate the load +360 degrees and tilt it +10 degrees. This ensures a soft, high-precision landing, as well as a firm connection of the load with the crane during handling operations.

MODERN TEST ENVIRONMENT IN ROSTOCK

Currently, the cranes are being constructed at Liebherr`s modern facilities in the harbour city of Rostock, northern Germany. To support this new range of cranes, Liebherr developed an ultra-modern test environment to load and function-test the cranes before delivery in accordance with all relevant offshore regulations. This significantly reduces the risk of problems on the customer’s job site.

'It certainly gives you peace of mind to have the equipment accurately tested with our customer before shipment,' says Clark.

'With our excellent transport facilities in Rostock, such as a 300 meter deep-water-quay for sea-going vessels, loading the finished product on to an international carrier means to be a perfect partner for our world-wide client base,' he adds.

'Using products of a well-known partner, such as Liebherr, is significantly reducing our technical and commercial project risk. This is certainly a priceless advantage that keeps our worries at the lowest level possible,' comments Li ShaoXue, Dalian Shipyard (DSIC) procurement director. 'Many of the processes between us and our partner Liebherr have been standardised. It’s much simpler to talk to friends.'

DSIC’s new BT 4000 semi-submersible is a new generation DP3-vessel designed for efficient, light work-over and well-intervention operations in water depths up to 2,400 metres in environmental offshore areas in Brazil, Gulf of Mexico, West Africa and South East Asia.

'The rig is intended for efficient and fast change-over between various well-intervention operations,' explains Li ShaoXue and adds: '… and, certainly, the Liebherr knuckle boom crane perfectly accords with this philosophy.'