Friday round up: Understanding industry data; world first crane jack-up; 31,000 tonne load-in; event review

Crane and Transport Briefing kicked off the week by analysing the work of the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Foundation (SC&RF). We also reported on a special jack-up job in Germany, a heavy load in project for Mammoet and reviewed Enerpac’s latest Experience Days. 

How is SC&RF shaping workforce development?

SC&RF encourages Association members to get involved in future events like Jill of All Trades, which introduces young women, grades 9-12, to the idea of a career in the skilled trades. (Photo: SCRA)

Over the course of the year so far, the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Foundation (SC&RF) has made a comprehensive organisational evaluation, resulting in programmes designed to impact workforce development.

As many SC&RA members know, the SC&RF invests in industry-specific research to benefit the Association and the industry. Often the research studies are used by SC&RA staff to advocate on behalf of industry companies to support long-term objectives, for example, harmonisation of permitting and specialized transportation and crane and rigging education. Some projects result in tools and resources like mobile apps and-or a benchmark for their business.

One such project, SC&RF’s first-of-its-kind State of the Workforce in the Crane, Rigging and Specialized Transport Industry research report, went public in 2023. After data collection at the beginning of this year, the 2024 State of the Workforce report is due soon.

Read more about the benefits that can be gained to help you develop your workforce.

Tall story: Eisele performs a world-first crane jack-up

Photo: Eisele

What do you do if your crane is too short to carry out the project you need it for? Raise it up into the air, of course.

That’s exactly what German lifting specialist Eisele did on a project in Germany. Lucy Barnard spoke to Rocco Schimmel, technical advisor and project manager at Eisele to find out exactly how they did it.

“Most limits exist only in people’s minds,” Schimmel says. It is an inspirational message for a crane specialist but one which begs a huge number of practical questions.

What if the crane you’re going to use has a maximum lifting height of 80 metres but the building you need to lift over is 87.4 metres tall?

For Schimmel, the solution was not – as one might have thought – to use a taller crane, but rather to take the unusual step of lifting a large eight axle wheeled mobile telescopic Liebherr crane five metres into the air where it would make lifts to complete a maintenance operation at the high-profile Deutsche Börse building near Frankfurt.

Read more about this unique jack-up job to increase a crane’s height.

On the skids: loading in a 31,000 tonne module

Extreme perspective: a view from the quayside towards Charlie and the Iron Lady. Photo: Mammoet

Moving something weighing tens of thousands of tonnes is a huge achievement in its own right, even without multiple other challenges. These were overcome by Mammoet on the enormous Brent Charlie topsides, skidded in from a barge for decommissioning. The massive steel and concrete structure had been in the harsh saline atmosphere of the North Sea for more than 40 years.

None of this was news to Mammoet, however, as it had already done the same job on two other previously retired gravity platforms from the Brent field.

It was all done using 76 skid shoes and 40 hydraulic push-pull units with a combined pushing capacity of 3,320 tonnes and a total lift capacity of 51,000 tonnes.

Stability of the four legged structure was one of the main challenges on this job as three legs are stable but four legs are not.

Read about the spectacular load-in of this 31,000 tonne module.

Inside the Enerpac Experience Days 2024

The Enerpac Roadshow Container is a mobile, custom-designed exhibit showcasing the company’s heavy lifting technologies.

Enerpac Experience Days 2024, held on October 16-17 at the Deer Park, TX, USA facility, offered attendees a hands-on exploration of Enerpac’s comprehensive lineup of heavy lifting and industrial solutions. Strategically located near the bustling Port of Houston and Texas’s thriving industrial sector, the event combined engaging equipment demonstrations, informative sessions and unique networking opportunities.

The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the Enerpac Roadshow Container—a mobile, custom-designed exhibit showcasing the company’s heavy lifting technologies. Complete with interactive displays, fold-out panels and video presentations, this revamped shipping container allowed attendees to engage with Enerpac equipment and witness their real-world applications. Featured equipment included the SCJ50 Cube Jacks, ML40 Mini Lift Gantry and the versatile EMV10S E-mover.

Pete Crisci, Enerpac’s commercial manager, emphasized the value of these hands-on experiences in fostering stronger customer partnerships and advancing industry standards.

“Through hands-on demonstrations, innovative equipment showcases and meaningful conversations, we continue to build lasting relationships and empower our industry with cutting-edge solutions,” he said.

Read more about the 2024 Enerpac Experience Days.