SAL Heavy Lift’s Type 176 vessel MV Frauke successfully finalized her latest project, for which it had been engaged since July 2014.
The project consisted of seven phases:
– Mobilization and special preparation of the vessel in Germany and the Netherlands; – Loading and transport of two empty carousels ex Netherlands to USA, both 12 m high with a diameter of 26 m, 620 t; – Spooling of more than 2000 t of umbilicals in the USA; – Transport of the fully spooled carousels to project site offshore West Africa. Weight of the carousels increased to 1475 t respectively 1875 t; – On-Site support for the installation vessel S3000 offshore West Africa over a two-month period (Assistance for discharging of full carousels and reloading of empty carousels at double banking); – Transport of empty carousels back to the Netherlands, discharging; – Demobilization of the vessel in Germany.
According to SAL, a special challenge within this project was the utmost precise weight spreading calculation on the hatch covers. The stability of the hatch covers was ensured with tailor-made steel supports, which were installed beneath the hatch covers.
In addition, a special grillage was designed to spread the weight of the heavier carousel. These extensive measures guaranteed a permanence in safe handling and transport of the cargo for the entire project duration.