Page 14: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2017)

Trends in Heavy Lift Solutions

Advances and developments in heavy lift transportation are allowing shipyards to rethink how, and where, they build and maintain vessels.

Utilizing this technology can help a tracts are signed. The utilization of ex- the following: yard expand its order book and improve ternal engineering expertise, with SPMT • All persons directly involved with

About the Author its bottom line. The use of Self-Pro- experience, can be extremely bene? cial the transport.

Captain Andrew Kinsey, Senior Marine

INSIGHTS: HEAVY LIFT pelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) in to spot potential problems. • All persons that will or may be pres-

Risk Consultant, Allianz Global Corpo- shipyards enables a facility to expand its Even if you are utilizing a third-party ent in close proximity to the trans- rate & Specialty operations in numerous ways, including SPMT provider, the client is responsible port.

new building, maintenance and repair, or for the following: • The load, the transporter and all ob- storage. These projects can range from • Gross weight of the load. jects/items that are in close proxim- straightforward to complex transport en- • Location of the center of gravity. ity to the transport. port takes place in accordance with the gineering assignments. There are base- • Dimensions of the load. • The (work) environment through previously agreed upon engineering and line best practices to employ whenever • Allowable point loading forces. which the transport will travel/in method statement. If a major change is you are utilizing SPMTs to help ensure a • Location of support points. which the transport will take place. required that was not addressed in an successful, safe and cost-ef? cient opera- • Location of lashing and securing agreed upon contingency plan, then the tion. The most important advice, which points. Method Statements transport should not take place.

is often neglected, is to never underesti- It is import to remember that any order Method statements that lay out the Weather conditions can be critical to mate the importance of communication. changes that affect these criteria need to engineering particulars of transports ad- any operation with a marine compo-

Identify the key players, including your be evaluated from the point of the SPMT dress key points, including the SPMT nent. In the event of a vessel hauling or insurance broker and underwriter, early movement before they can be agreed to transporter con? guration and suspension launching, tide and current conditions and allow them to be part of the planning or implemented. If the ? nal dimensions set-up. According to the ESTA SPMT must be within the go/no go criteria pre- and engineering review to mitigate risk are changed, then an updated swept-path Best Practice Guide, a comprehensive viously agreed upon. and optimize safety. analysis of the route will need to be per- method statement should include at a Final checks should be conducted by all

Here at Allianz Global Corporate & formed. minimum: concerned parties. If warranty surveyors

Specialty (AGCS) the SPMT that we Engineering concerns that arise during • How the transporter(s) will be (de) are present, they need to ensure that all most often work with was developed by the later stage of a project are typically mobilized. recommendations have been complied

Mammoet in conjunction with Scheuerle due to insuf? cient initial engineering • Route the transport will travel. with before executing the move. in 1983. (http://www.transportoversize. that have included allowable point load- • How the load will be loaded on/un- eu/en/articles/id/4139/) They have revo- ing forces both on the hull girder as well loaded from the transporter. Conclusion lutionized industrial transportation with as on existing piers and wharfs. A key • Which transporter con? guration and The use of SPMTs can greatly assist a the ability to transport heavy loads with component of planning is to fully de- suspension set-up will be used. shipyard in generating new business or a high degree of maneuverability within termine the material conditions of infra- • Who will be responsible for the expanding upon work. This can range a small footprint. They can add signi? - structure before a project is undertaken. transport and how the different from hauling large yachts to building cant modular construction capability to If building in a former laydown area, or tasks related to the transport will be new barges. SPMTs can be integrated shipyard operations, allowing larger ves- moving an SPMT over a pier or apron, it divided. to work with existing dry docks, yard sels to be maneuvered and expanding is critical that these areas have their per- • Which Health, Safety and Environ- cranes and travel lifts to provide new utilization of staging areas in a yard. missible point loading evaluated. Fully mental procedures will apply. or increased revenue streams. A well- evaluating the route that a SPMT will • Any situation-speci? c measures organized, engineering-supported proj-

SPMT Best Practices transverse and knowing the allowable required for the transport to be ex- ect built upon the framework of strong

An excellent ? rst step when explor- ground / surface bearing pressures is one ecuted safely. communication is your best voyage plan ing the potential use of SPMTs is to of the most important components of a to help ensure a successful heavy lift review the European Association of project. Executing the Plan project.

Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Training is also a key component of After all the planning and engineer-

Cranes (ESTA) Best Practice Guide for a successful transport. Even if you will ing is completed and the method state-

Self-Propelled Modular Transporters be utilizing an outside contractor to con- ment generated and reviewed, the actual (http://estaeurope.eu/media/downloads/ duct the movement, it is still important transport takes place. As was true in the

References:

ESTA_A4versie_DEFdigitalHR-pages. that your workforce receive safety in- planning stage, communication among • http://www.heavyliftnews.com/news/30- pdf). This guide presents the required structions in relation to working with an all parties during the execution phase is years-spmt-self-propelled-modular-transport- steps to help plan, engineer, train for, and SPMT if they will be involved with the critical to the project’s success. er-scheuerle-8000-axle-lines-world-motion execute a successful transport. move. If you are employing a third party, A toolbox talk should be held prior to • http://www.collett.co.uk/images/Docu-

In our loss control roll at AGCS, we review their training and maintenance conducting the transport. At this time, all ments/ESTASPMTBestPracticeGuide.pdf have witnessed the importance of the de- records well in advance of the move. parties who will be present for the move • http://www.sinotrailers.com/shipyard- sign phase. It is critical that all aspects of Most insurers will request that a risk should be in attendance, and introduc- transporters/ a load be evaluated in the design phase in assessment (RA) be carried out before tions should take place. Nothing new • http://www.sinotrailers.com/shipyard- order to help identify any potential prob- a transport is performed. An RA should should be addressed here – the parties transporters/ lems before operations begin, or con- address the risks associated with at least present are here to ensure that the trans- 14 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • AUGUST 2017

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