Experts team up to launch MacGregor's technology-leading fibre-rope crane
MacGregor, part of Cargotec, can now offer the offshore industry a technology-leading fibre-rope crane. The crane has been developed by combining MacGregor's proven offshore crane technology with the fibre-rope tensioning technology perfected by Parkburn Precision Handling Systems. The companies have entered into a cooperation agreement to combine MacGregor's offshore crane expertise with Parkburn's fibre-rope tensioning technology.
The new MacGregor crane features a simple-to-operate fibre-rope lifting system that employs Parkburn's unique tensioning technology. The Parkburn equipment eliminates the heating and degradation problems associated with on-load fibre ropes stored on winch drums. Importantly, it can accommodate non-uniformities resulting from splices in the rope.
The new crane will be introduced to the market as a 150T fully heave-compensated knuckle boom crane with capability of reaching 4000m of water depth, but the offering will be extended to the complete range of MacGregor subsea crane fleet.
The MacGregor fibre rope technology is also suitable for retrofit on existing subsea cranes. This enables upgrading the capabilities of existing construction vessel fleet without having to build new vessels, an important feature to meet the requirement for reducing the cost level of the industry.
Parkburn is a UK-based marine handling systems provider that has spent over 40 years perfecting the deep-water handing systems required in fire-rope cranes. Its fibre-rope winch system can be delivered as digitally controlled electrically-driven, or hydraulic-driven. Features include integral active-heave compensation and power regeneration capabilities.