Heavy lift specialist ALE has come up with a new design for carrying transition pieces at marshalling ports that does not require a crane.
ALE said fabrication of the new system, developed by its research and development team in Breda in the Netherlands, is in the final stages and should be ready for operations in early 2019.
The company said the new design is more cost effective than cranes because it can move within limited spaces, which optimises storage, operates at higher wind speeds and is not restricted by the TPs’ diameters or weights.
ALE added that additional steel frames are not required, with the TPs positioned onto the current concrete blocks “which are readily available and are a more cost-effective storage option”.
ALE technical sales Manager Tomas Villarino said: “Offshore renewables is a huge growth market for us and we wanted to ensure we had the optimal solution for port handling operations for our clients.
“This is a highly beneficial solution that aids project efficiency and cost reduction, with optimised working conditions that will be compatible with the ever-changing design of TPs to future-proof our offering in the sector.”