Crane relocation services include the design, engineering, planning and logistics necessary to ensure satisfactory loading, transport and delivery, and re-commissioning.
Crane relocation services are needed when:
- Selling and disposing of cranes
- Rearranging berth positions to optimize operations
While most crane relocation activities are by sea, land transportation by multi-axle trailers can be used to move cranes over short distances on land, e.g. moving a crane from one location to another within a port.
Selecting the type of vessel to utilize for crane transport is based on several factors:
- Vessel availability, distance to be travelled, and time available
- Restrictions on vessel type at port of loading and discharge
- Crane dimensions
- Expected weather
1. Seattle, USA to Cristobal, Panama to Progreso, Mexico: Over 4,531 Nautical Miles (8,391 km). Two QCs relocated to Mexico, one to Panama.
2. Baltimore, USA to Fort de France, Martinique to Bejaia, Algeria: Approximately 5,460 Nautical Miles (10,112 km). Relocation of two QCs to Bejaia, Algeria.
3. Kaoshing, Taiwan to Valencia, Spain: Approximately 8,508 Nautical Miles (15,757 km). Relocation of one QC.
4. Singapore to Dubai, UAE: Over 3,184 Nautical Miles (5,897 km). Two QCs and nine RTGs relocated.
5. Tokyo, Japan to Jakarta, Indonesia: Approximately 3,122 Nautical Miles (5,782 km). Relocation of one QC and two RTGs.
1. Tug and barge
- Large cargo area
- Relatively economical
- Comparatively slow
2. Forklift vessel
- Fast QC load/unload
- Span change possible during load or unload using patented Portek method
- Low availability
3. Semi-submersible self-propelled vessel
- Fast lift-on/lift-off or skid-on/skid-off
- High cruising speed
- Low availability
4. Vessel with onboard heavy-lift cranes
- Cranes loaded/unloaded with ship’s heavy-lift cranes
- Low availability
5. Multi-axle tractor-trailer
- For short distances over land
1. Survey of crane structure, loading and discharge locations
2. Vessel selection and determine best load and unload methods
3. Finite element analysis (FEM) of crane structure and bracing
4. Designs of stowage plan
5. Strengthen crane structure, lashing, loading, and sea-fastening
6. Sea voyage
7. Unlashing, discharging, and re-commissioning of crane
Crane relocation may necessitate the following:
- Span change and other modifications
- Changes to electrical power supply, such as voltage and frequency changes
- Changes to power source (Such as re-powering cranes from mains supply to diesel generator or vice versa)
- Crane drive system upgrades
Span change
For rail-mounted cranes, an increase or decrease in span is necessary when the destination terminal has a different rail gauge. Depending on the amount of span change involved and crane geometry, one or more of the following modifications may be required:
1. Portal bean lengthening and reinforcement, and repositioning of the land-side legs
2. Additions to leg sections for small span changes
3. Additional triangular trusses to enlarge the portal for large span changes
Computer modelling and analysis are performed to evaluate different configurations at the new span site, including structural stresses and crane stability under various working and wind conditions.
Other issues related to span change
- Rail profile may be different, requiring new wheels or machining existing wheels to a new profile
- Additional wheels may be needed
- Effect of seaside and landside rail elevation, differences in crane buffers, crane tie-down, and storm brakes
The crane owner should evaluate a contractor on the following criteria:
- Ability, experience, and past performance record of contractor
Sufficient planning and preparation are conducted
- Speed of operations with minimal disruptions to terminal operations
- Safety procedures and precautions taken by contractor
- Risk management policy of contractor
- Ensure that structural strength of the quay is factored into planning activities. This is especially important in selecting jacking points to prevent overloading the quay.
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Iskenderun, Turkey
Span change from 15 meters to 21.8 meters |
Port Cristobal, Panama
Span change from 15.24 meters to 21.55 meters |
Baltimore, USA
Span change from 10.24 meters to 21.8 meters |
West Port, Malaysia
Span change from 16 meters to 30.5 meters |
1. Crane in original condition
2. New leg joints added at new span position. Structure is reinforced.
3. Forklift vessel arrives and is positioned. Support placed under horizontal spar.
4. Struts added, landside wheels unfastened, vessel lifts rest of crane.
5. Wheels placed in new position, vessel positions crane over seaside legs.
6. New leg joints secured and landside wheel assembly re-attached.
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