WCA Projects member, Universal Logistics Company Ltd., China, recently completed a big project moving two brand new, fully-equipped harbor cranes from Zhang Zhou (near Xiamen), in South China to two ports in Korea.
The first challenge was moving the cranes as completed final units, as the client did not allow to dismantle any pieces from the cranes, including the boom, which is 39 meters long.  (With previous shipments, the main body, boom, and other pieces were separated and much easier to handle.) Facing such a challenge, Universal’s project team engaged numerous technical meetings with the engineers of the client, and other parties to find the best solution to safely lift each unit as a full crane. The final chosen solution was to erect the boom as high as possible to it’s the closest position to its main body as the most stable status, with the Center of Gravity nearer to the area of the main body. However, the total height of the crane would be 42 meters at its erecting position, which is higher than the vessel cranes. So, based on the COG position and the erecting status of the crane, a proper lifting method was designed accordingly, with the best connecting points on spreaders with hook and the connecting points with cargo’s lifting lugs were worked out. In order to lower the COG as far as possible, falling-down the hook of 2.2 tons is a must, instead of hoisting it up to the top of the boom. To prevent the hook from shaking while lifting, which will be very dangerous, the hook must be fastened and secured by additional lashings to the main body of the crane before lifting. Considering that each crane weighed 170 tons, occupying large space on deck with its boom of 48.1-meter-long at its stowage position, the space between the two vessel’s heavy cranes was not sufficient for the two cranes. The first loaded crane had to be moved to leave space for the second crane. In order to do so, proper dunnage such as wood and long steel sheets were laid on the hatch covers until its stowage position. Universal ensured that all such complications were considered and well-planned prior to starting the project.  With our project team’s efforts, and the coordination and cooperation of the numerous parties involved, the preliminary plans/solutions were accurately implemented to every last detail, including the preparation of lashing and dunnage material. We are happy to report that the project proceeded successfully as planned and the client was very pleased with the outcome.