Austria: Palfinger Marine Enters The Champions League of Offshore Crane Systems

PALFINGER Marine’s development department has made the leap into the champions’ league of offshore crane systems with the design of the first PALFINGER “Heavy Duty Foldable” Marine crane for one of the world’s state-of-the-art research ships.

PALFINGER Marine- und Beteiligungs-GmbH (PMB) is tapping into the market segment of large marine cranes with its “PFM” range. The cranes are offered with a lifting moment of up to 350 meter tonnes. Product quality and the best problem-solving skills are the top priority for customers for the entire PFM range. The ability to combine different marine-specific winches makes this new range unique and particularly attractive to users. The option of certification by international companies completes the concept.

This innovative crane range was presented to the public as part of an official ceremony at the PALFINGER’s “Maribor” plant during final testing of the PALFINGER “Heavy Duty Foldable” marine crane last December. Handover of the crane to the Japanese dealer, Sekigahara Seisakusho Ltd., had already taken place just a few days previously.

The customer and owner of the ship is the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) which together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. decided to build this unique research ship so that it could press ahead with scientific development in the field of maritime resources around Japan’s coastal areas. There is special interest in researching the mineral deposits and gas hydrates on the sea bed in order to make them usable as energy sources of the future.

On completion of this research ship, there will be a total of five different PALFINGER marine cranes on board that will be used to transport measuring instruments and equipment.

“For PALFINGER, designing a crane of this size meant a totally new development. We were set this demanding task and we solved it successfully,” said Johnannes Lindenbauer, Head of Sales PALFINGER Marine Cranes. “Developing a special extension boom system which features a knuckle boom and a telescopic outreach of up to 21 meters was a particular challenge with this prototype. The weight-optimized construction combined with the additional installation of two different marine winches turned out exceptionally well. Innovative winch control by means of a manual control system and radio remote control also guarantees that the crane is safe and easy to operate.“

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Source:Palfinger, February  8, 2011;