Liebherr Reports Record Year for Offshore Cranes
Four Liebherr BOS 4200-85s Litronic at the drill ship Platinum Explorer / Vantage Drilling. (Photo courtesy of Liebherr)
Two Liebherr MTC 3100-25s Litronic at the Petrobras drilling rig platform P-56. (Photo courtesy of Liebherr)
With 87 units delivered in 2014, Liebherr offshore cranes achieved a new per year delivery record, more than doubling its delivery numbers from 2012. And according to Liebherr, well filled order books allow for an optimistic 2015 forecast despite a generally unstable world economic development.
“Our distinctly increasing turnover figures wouldn’t be possible without our new production site in Rostock, Germany, as well as our worldwide sales and service network. We are all working together as a team, always close to the customer to meet new needs before they arise. Our success proves that Liebherr offshore cranes are on the right track, despite the challenging economic environment,” said Wolfgang Kueng, Sales Director for Liebherr offshore cranes.
The BOS-series had already been the most successful offshore crane type in the Liebherr offshore product portfolio in 2012 and 2013. With 38 units delivered in 2014, the number of supplied units was doubled compared to 2012. The BOS 4200 had a significant impact on this positive development as customers opted for 22 cranes of this type. This model features a maximum capacity of 150 metric tons and a boom length of 33 to 72 meters. Used in the oil and gas industry for heavy lift construction as well as wind plant installation, the BOS series is a slewing bearing offshore crane with rope luffing system and lattice boom.
In addition to the BOS success, Liebherr supplied 33 MTC deliveries in 2014, nearly quintupling 2013 deliveries. Mainly used for the oil and gas industry Liebherr MTC model series is a king post mounted offshore crane.
Additionally, through the new ram luffing knuckle boom series RL-K Liebherr extends its range of offshore cranes and offers its customers a convenient solution for general purpose but also subsea operations as well as pipe- and riser handling.
With the RL-K 7500 Liebherr offers an active heave compensation concept for subsea applications up to 3,660m below water level. The crane can be rated both as general purpose offshore crane and as heavy lift crane, being able to hoist loads weighing up to 300 metric tons. It can thus be installed on board drill ships and also on pipe lay vessels.
The RL-K 4200 is next to general purpose operation mainly used for pipe- and riser handling on drill ships. The crane prime mover is either electric-hydraulic or dieselhydraulic. With a maximum capacity of 100 metric tons and a radius of up to 54 meters the RL-K 4200 covers a wide field of applications, the manufacturer said.
Liebherr said the ram luffing knuckle-boom crans opened up new market segments for the company in the offshore sector. The crane’s knuckle boom loads can be lowered to the water surface with a short rope length between crane boom head and water line. Furthermore, the crane is equipped with a number of advanced hydraulic, electric and electronic features and functions, some of which were submitted for patent by Liebherr, e.g. Heavetronic system (AHC).
The Liebherr offshore crane order backlog for 2015 allows for a positive forecast, the company said, adding that contrary to the modest world economic development, especially in the oil and gas industry, the worldwide demand for Liebherr offshore cranes stays constant. For that reason, Liebherr said it is optimistic that 2015 will be a good year for its offshore cranes.
