January 25 - UK-based heavy lift and transport specialist ALE has completed a series of lifts as part of the Thai Growth Project in Map Ta Phut, Thailand.
With weights ranging from 73 tonnes up to 813 tonnes, 25 items, weighing a combined 4,230 tonnes, were transported, lifted and installed in just over three weeks.
The project required the use of ALE's AL.SK190 heavy crane, which has a capacity of 4,300 tonnes, a 141m main boom and variable ballast radius.
The Thai Growth Project originally specified a large crawler crane from three positions, with the lifts taking place over a three-month period. However, the AL.SK190's record-breaking capabilities reduced this to less than one month.
Because of its high outreach capacity, the AL.SK190 was able to perform all required lifts from a single location, avoiding the expense and time associated with de-rigging, re-rigging and re-locating, says ALE.
Columns could be lifted over the new structure, enabling other structures and pipe racks to be installed ahead of schedule. The AL.SK190 also required minimal ground preparation for the 25 tonne / sq m loading under the mast foot and 20 tonne / sq m loading under the ballast.
Michael Birch, executive director, ALE Projects, says: "The 28-day lift schedule was considered aggressive, but we were able to safely install all items six days ahead of schedule due to good planning and teamwork."
ALE delivers strategic heavy lift services to a wide range of sectors, including civil, oil and gas, energy, nuclear, offshore, renewables, petrochemical, ports, marine, minerals and metals and mining.
