Manitowoc and Shawmut Equipment have been assisting Sprague Energy to receive and stage large wind turbine components for transport from Mack Point terminal in Searsport, Maine, USA.
Sprague Energy is leading a large-scale project to unload and transport massive wind turbine components off the coast of Searsport. Five Manitowoc crawler cranes are being used to move components from ocean-going vessels to holding yards, before they are delivered to various wind farms across the state.
The operation, which began in January 2024, employs three Manitowoc MLC150s, one MLC250, and one MLC300 VPC-MAX, all of which perform up to 30 lifts per day. Loads vary from 24.2 tons (22 tonnes) to 101.4 tons (92 tonnes), and the work is expected to conclude in October.
“Our Manitowoc cranes work together to lift the windmill’s tower sections, blades, hubs, drives, and nacelles,” explained Cameron Giroux, terminal supervisor at Sprague Energy. “Due to the significant distance between pick points on the turbine blades, we are fortunate to be able to execute two-crane lifts. We rig the components with slings, shackles, and hooks, and use a block and tackle at one end to maintain even pressure and prevent twisting of the blades. After that, we use the cranes to stage loads for the next phase.”
Brennan Seeliger, Manitowoc’s product manager for crawler cranes, said the complexity of the work underlines the importance of the precision and control Manitowoc’s crane control system (CCS) offers crane operators. ”Users can harness the precise load monitoring, customizable configurations, and automated functions of CCS that enhance job site productivity and reduce the risk of errors. This makes it an invaluable tool for experienced and new crane operators alike,” he stated.
Maine has proven to be a hotbed of wind energy work for the heavy lift sector. More than 25 percent of the state’s electricity is generated from wind and more onshore installations are scheduled in the upcoming years.
