ALE load tests 5,000 tonner

ALE’s 5,000 tonne capacity AL.SK350 - said to be the world’s largest capacity land based crane - has been rigged for the first time and successfully load tested.

The crane, which was launched in 2013, was load tested in preparation of its first lifts on a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) module integration project in Brazil.

It has been rigged in its current biggest configuration, with 49 metre ballast radius and 4,000 tonne ballast. The main boom is a 130 m long A-frame design on a very stable 18 m wide base. The crane is equipped with a 4,000 tonne main winch system and 600 tonne auxiliary quick winch system. For loads of up to 5,000 tonnes, a strand jack lifting system can be installed.

The international heavy lifting and transport company will use the AL.SK350 crane to lift and install approximately 40 modules onto the P-74 FPSO vessel in the south of Brazil. With its 354,000 tonne-metre load moment capacity, it is said by ALE to be “the largest capacity crane in the market by a significant margin and its huge lifting capabilities enables clients to construct equipment for lifting weighing heavier than ever before.”

Cees Segeren, one of the designers of the crane, commented, “By using our innovative cranes on other FPSO integration projects showcases our capabilities of the equipment in this sector. It’s fantastic to see the revolutionary AL.SK350 crane rigged for the first time. Now we have completed our final testing, we are looking forward to the first lifts.”

The AL.SK cranes are also available in AL.SK190 and AL.SK700 configurations, with capacities up to 4,300 tonnes and 8,000 tonnes respectively. Furthermore, the cranes can be equipped with a 3,400 tonne capacity heavy duty jib. The jib will be used on the next FPSO module integration project in Nigeria in the first half of 2017.