PHOTO: SAL’s MV Frauke Completes Its Job

SAL Heavy Lift’s Type 176 vessel MV Frauke successfully finalized her latest project, for which it had been engaged since July 2014.

The project consisted of seven phases:

– Mobilization and special preparation of the vessel in Germany and the Netherlands;
– Loading and transport of two empty carousels ex Netherlands to USA, both 12 m high with a diameter of 26 m, 620 t;
– Spooling of more than 2000 t of umbilicals in the USA;
– Transport of the fully spooled carousels to project site offshore West Africa. Weight of the carousels increased to 1475 t respectively 1875 t;
– On-Site support for the installation vessel S3000 offshore West Africa over a two-month period (Assistance for discharging of full carousels and reloading of empty carousels at double banking);
– Transport of empty carousels back to the Netherlands, discharging;
– Demobilization of the vessel in Germany.

According to SAL, a special challenge within this project was the utmost precise weight spreading calculation on the hatch covers. The stability of the hatch covers was ensured with tailor-made steel supports, which were installed beneath the hatch covers.

In addition, a special grillage was designed to spread the weight of the heavier carousel. These extensive measures guaranteed a permanence in safe handling and transport of the cargo for the entire project duration.