October 3 - ALE's largest capacity crane, the AL.SK350, has performed its first lifts in Brazil as part of a project to install around 40 oversize modules onto the P-74 floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel.
ALE explained that the crane was selected by the client due to its large capacity and ability to install the huge modules onto the FPSO unit without additional relocation of the ship's hull.
The heaviest unit lifted will weigh 3,000 tonnes, which ALE says will be the heaviest commercial load ever lifted by a land-based crane.
For the project the crane has been rigged with a 49 m ballast radius and 4,000-tonne ballast. The main boom is 130 m long on an 18 m wide base, and the crane is equipped with a 4,000-tonne capacity main winch system and 600-tonne capacity auxiliary quick winch system. A strand jack lifting system can also be installed to lift loads weighing up to 5,000 tonnes.
"The crane is performing well and exceeding expectations with its high slew speed, in combination with the 4,000-tonne capacity winch system," said ALE senior project manager, Ronnie Adams.
"Despite challenges faced by the weather, we have successfully completed the first campaign ahead of schedule, recognising the engineering achievements this milestone brings."
