Kvaerner is preparing for a significant growth in its home market and invests approximately NOK 250 million in upgrades of its facilities at Stord. The major investments will be increased lifting and trailing capacity, including a new Goliath gantry crane.

“We have won some major contracts and are preparing for future growth in our home market in the years to come. To further increase our competitiveness it is essential with state of the art facilities and equipment,” says Lars Eide, Executive Vice President in Kvaerner.

Promising market outlook

The market shows a large number of new projects on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, both onshore and offshore, in the period 2012-2020. However, this market is increasingly competitive with major international competitors trying to capture a position in the North Sea.

“It is important with facilities that can increase our capacity and ensure a flawless project execution and on-time deliveries. In that respect, these investments will be a significant contribution,” says Eide.

In addition to the gantry crane itself, there will be made various investments in multi wheel trailers for transport of heavier sections, civil works for the crane rail tracks and extension of the pier, office and wardrobe upgrading, as well as dismantling and disposal of the existing crane.

“I am very pleased that Kvaerner has decided to invest in the Stord facilities. It is a demonstration of faith in Stord’s competitiveness and ability to deliver for many years to come,” says Rune Rafdal, company elect in Kvaerner.

Increased lifting capacity

The new Goliath gantry crane will have a lifting capacity that is more than double that of the existing crane, increasing it from 350 to 800 tonnes. The operating area below the new crane will be 153 meters wide, compared to 125 metres with the existing crane. The total height of the new crane will be 115 meters.

“The existing Goliath crane is getting old and has become a limiting factor to fully exploit the potential at our yard facilities at Stord. With the new crane, we will be able to conduct two topside projects in parallel, compared to one today,” says Eide.

Work to begin this summer

Preparatory activities have already begun, and civil work for the extension of the crane rail tracks and the pier is expected to commence this summer. The new crane will be ready for operation in the beginning of 2014, in time for the major lifts for the Edvard Grieg project.

Simultaneously, the existing Goliath crane is being upgraded and recertified for an additional two years of operating time, so that it can be used in the assembly phase of the Eldfisk 2/7S project.

About the existing Goliath

The existing Goliath gantry crane was built in England in 1958, where it was used for the construction of the Hinkley Point power facility. It came to Stord Verft A/S in 1969, to be used in connection with the construction of 220 000 tonne tankers T/T Kong Haakon VII and T/T Aurelian. Its lifting capacity was initially 400 tonnes; however, when it came to Stord the bridge was extended from 75 to 125 meters and thus reducing its lifting capacity to 300 tonnes. It completed its first lift on 1 March 1969, lifting a 200 tonne boiler on-board the T/T Kong Haakon. Later, in 1997 it was upgraded to a lifting capacity of 350 tonnes.

250 million Norwegian kroner = 43.15775 million U.S. dollars