Pentagon’s Aberdeen and Kristiansand offices have successfully completed the transportation and installation of a 631-ton offshore crane.
Despite engaging with the client over the course of 18 months, Pentagon’s Project Team were given just 3 weeks to plan and arrange a full turnkey service from Kristiansand, Norway, to Gdansk, Poland. Inclusive of all engineering works, charter of tugs, a pontoon barge, and a floating crane.
Due to the tight timeframes, out-of-the-box thinking was required to allow the crane to be loaded out on the specified date. The traditional use of a prefabricated transport frame was not an option due to time constraints therefore Pentagon proposed using a modular support system made up of 20ft shipping containers, 200-ton stools and prefabricated load spread matts. This unique solution was successfully deployed saving the customer both time and substantial cost.
The crane, which is the biggest ever to be have been built at the contractors Kristiansand facility, was successfully loaded onto a barge and towed to the layby berth at Kristiansand harbour pending the installation date.
Due to forecast bad weather, Pentagon had to readjust the project schedule to accommodate the challenging weather conditions. This involved further tug involvement and temporary deviations to the original voyage plan.
Installation at Gdansk was undertaken by a Pentagon chartered floating crane, HLV Uglen, to lift the offshore crane from the barge to the customers vessel.
The installation operation took 2 days and was completed successfully without incident.
This project has raised Pentagon’s profile as a competent heavy lift transport provider.
