Project Overview

This case focuses on the customized delivery and application of a Fully Foldable Knuckle Boom Crane on a multi-functional Offshore Support Vessel (OSV), engineered to meet the stringent operational requirements of marine cargo handling, equipment maintenance, emergency rescue, and other offshore missions.

With its advanced articulated structure and compact stowage design, this marine crane has become the core lifting equipment of the vessel, perfectly solving industry pain points such as limited deck space and complex offshore operation scenarios.

Project Background

The design, manufacturing, and testing of the ship crane shall fully comply with the requirements of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS) Rules for Lifting Appliances on Sea-going Ships, and obtain the RMRS Product Certificate.

Crane Lifting Operations

• Berth Lifting Operations
• Open Sea Lifting Operations, including offshore operations in calm waters and under Sea State 2 conditions
• Ship-to-Ship Lifting Operations

Control Performance Requirements

--- All movements of the marine crane shall be capable of stepless speed regulation from zero to maximum speed

---All crane operations can be performed sequentially

---Multi-motion linkage is allowed under permitted combinations, with the speed of each motion reduced accordingly during linkage

The following combined motions are permitted:

• Hoist / Lower + Boom Luffing
• Hoist / Lower + Knuckle Boom Folding / Unfolding
• Hoist / Lower + Crane Slewing
• Hoist / Lower + Boom Extension / Retraction

Service Life

• Design service life before major overhaul: 10 years
• Total design service life of the complete crane: 30 years
• Under all specified working conditions, the crane shall be capable of continuous trouble-free operation for at least 100 hours without the need for direct maintenance or monitoring.

Core Challenges

The vessel is primarily engaged in offshore project support operations, including marine equipment transportation, platform maintenance, material delivery, and emergency rescue missions. The marine lifting equipment required for the vessel faces three core challenges:

• Space Constraints: The vessel features a compact deck layout, requiring the marine crane to minimize its footprint during non-operational periods to ensure safe passage for other deck equipment and navigation operations.

• Adaptability to Complex Working Conditions: The marine deck crane must handle a wide range of loads, from lightweight precision instruments to heavy modular components, while operating in harsh marine environments such as Sea State 2 and variable weather conditions.

• High-Precision Operation Requirements: In offshore maintenance and rescue missions, ultra-precise positioning of cargo is essential to avoid collisions with the vessel's superstructure and offshore facilities.

• Extreme Temperature Environment: The marine crane must operate reliably under ambient temperatures ranging from -35°C to +35°C (with 80% air humidity), and maintain performance in working conditions from -30°C to +35°C.

Solution: Customized Fully Foldable Knuckle Boom Crane

---- A lifting solution specifically designed for confined spaces and complex lifting routes.

Based on the vessel's operational parameters and space constraints, our engineering team has customized this fully foldable knuckle boom crane, integrating a range of core technological advantages:

1. Ultra-Compact Stowage Design

Featuring a multi-joint, fully foldable structure, the boom retracts tightly along the deck when stowed. This reduces the occupied footprint by 40% compared to traditional straight-boom cranes, perfectly adapting to the vessel's limited deck space and ensuring unobstructed passage, meeting the stringent requirements for space utilization in offshore operations.

2. Powerful & Flexible Lifting Performance

• Dual Performance Integration: Combines the articulating flexibility of a knuckle boom with the telescopic reach of a straight arm. The fully foldable knuckle boom crane supports a maximum load of 5 tons at a working radius of 2.5~10m and 3.2 tons at a radius of 10~15m, easily handling heavy equipment hoisting and long-distance material transfer.

• 360° Full Slewing: Equipped with a high-precision slewing drive system, the marine crane enables 360° omnidirectional rotation without dead angles, significantly enhancing operational flexibility in confined marine spaces.

• Flexible Knuckle Boom: Through the combined movement of the main arm and knuckle, it can bypass obstacles to precisely position the hook in areas inaccessible to conventional cranes (e.g., below the hull side, inside hatches).

3. Multi-Mode Control System

To adapt to diverse operational scenarios, the fully foldable knuckle boom crane is equipped with three control modes:

• Local Console Control: Offering a wide field of view for high-precision operation.

• Wireless Remote Control: Enabling safe operation in dangerous or inaccessible areas, ensuring personnel safety during rescue and high-risk missions.

4. Marine-Grade Reliability & Safety

• Corrosion & Weather Resistance: Constructed with marine-grade anti-corrosion coating and a reinforced structural design, the marine crane withstands salt spray, high humidity, and extreme temperature variations (-40°C to +50°C) in marine environments.

• Comprehensive Safety Protection: Fitted with overload protection, height limiters, anti-swing devices, and emergency stop systems. The ship crane can also be equipped with a man-riding function as required, supporting the safe transfer of personnel during offshore maintenance operations.

5. Technical Specifications

Application Results & Value

• Since its installation and commissioning, the fully foldable knuckle boom crane has been put into intensive use on the vessel, operating reliably and significantly improving deck operation efficiency:

• In the limited deck area, the deck crane successfully lifted 3-ton spare parts from the deck, maneuvered them over the superstructure, and placed them stably onto the workboat alongside the vessel.

• For the same lifting operation, the cycle time has been shortened by 30% compared to the previous process, drastically reducing the vessel's offshore operation duration.

• Stable operation in harsh environments: Over 3 months of offshore operations, the foldable boom crane maintained a 100% operational success rate in Sea State 3, successfully completing numerous missions including marine equipment delivery, platform maintenance, material hoisting, and emergency rescue material transfer. It also operates stably even at temperatures as low as -30°C.

• Optimized operation and maintenance costs: The high-quality hydraulic system reduces daily maintenance costs by 20% compared to previous equipment; high-performance electrical components also lower the overall energy consumption of the vessel's lifting operations.

• High customer recognition: The foldable knuckle boom crane fully meets the customer's customized operational requirements, successfully passed the inspection by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS), and accelerated the vessel's certification process.

• Throughout the lifting operations, the fully foldable knuckle boom crane required no repositioning of the vessel, and its slewing radius never posed a safety threat to deck workers.

• Crane operation reports show that, compared with straight-boom cranes of the same tonnage, operation efficiency is increased by 40% and deck space utilization is improved by 60%.

Customer Testimonial

"Previously, we had to rearrange deck cargo for every overside lift. Now, with this fully foldable knuckle boom crane, it's like having an extra pair of 'bendable hands' that barely takes up any space at all."

------- Mr. Arie, Chief Executive Officer

Conclusion

This case fully demonstrates the core advantages of the fully foldable knuckle boom crane in marine applications: compact stowage, flexible operation, and reliable safety. It not only solves the pain points of limited space and complex operational scenarios for marine vessels but also provides an efficient lifting solution for global marine engineering, offshore support, shipbuilding, and other related industries.

We are committed to providing customized marine lifting equipment solutions for different vessel types and operational scenarios, continuously empowering the development of the global marine industry with professional technology and reliable products.

Get Your Custom Solution Today

Every vessel and every deck layout is unique. We provide a full end-to-end service, from initial crane specification customization, manufacturing, classification certification, logistics and transportation, to after-sales support.

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