Jumbo Javelin Transports Pair of Massive Cranes

Jumbo transported two huge Ship-to-Shore Kalmar cranes, combined with a total of 7 knocked down RTG’s from Taicang, China to Cartagena, Colombia for its client Cargotec. Since the STS cranes were too big to handle in their fully assembled shape, both cranes were shipped in (still respectable) parts to fit Jumbo Javelin’s deck and cargo hold. Because of the enormous width, height and weight of the cranes and in order to remain within all safety margins during the long sea voyage, special support and sea fastening structures were engineered by Jumbo together with the client. 

The crane structures, weighing up to 1,000 t per piece, reached 80 m above deck and protruded 30 m on starboard side of the vessel. Smart engineering and precision planning made it possible for Jumbo to transport the two STS cranes for Cargotec in one voyage from China to Colombia. The lower portal and upper structure of the first crane were lifted and placed on deck separately. The complete middle piece of the second crane was lifted on deck at once in a tandem lift. 

The supporting width of the cranes was bigger than the width of the vessel, so Jumbo together with the client engineered special support constructions on deck and at the outside of the vessel. On top of this, the upper structures needed to be tilted to make sure it didn’t hit the water during sea transport. 

With its SPOS and Octopus systems and cooperation with Meteo Consult Jumbo calculated the best sea route to avoid high waves and strong winds. With the cranes protruding on starboard side, the roll movement of the Jumbo Javelin had to be minimized. Because of careful preparations, and the selected sea route, the cargo was delivered in Cartagena, Colombia safely and on time.