Huisman is producing the world’s largest bearings at its production facility in China. The two 30 m diameter bearings are meant for the world’s largest Tub Cranes: the two 10,000 mt Huisman designed cranes that are under construction for Heerema’s new semi-submersible crane vessel Sleipnir.
Since 2012, Huisman has been designing and constructing small bearings with a diameter up to 14 m.
Sleipnir
Heerema's Sleipnir is designed for worldwide offshore heavy lifting. It will be equipped with two cranes of 10,000 metric tonnes lifting capacity each and a reinforced deck area of 220 m in length and 102 m in width, which will make it the largest crane vessel in the world.
The dual cranes provide for heavy lifting capacity both to install and remove jackets and topsides. Furthermore, the cranes can be utilised for installation of foundations, moorings and structures in deep water. The Sleipnir is self-propelled with a minimum service speed of 10 knots, with power generated by means of dual fuel engines – MGO & LNG. Station-keeping is by means of dynamic positioning (DP3) or mooring system.
In-house Designed Bearings
Unlike traditional Tub Cranes, which make use of either bogies or large wheels for their slew system, the Huisman designed cranes make use of large bearings of own design, which are manufactured in-house. The benefit of a bearing is that it allows for a substantial weight saving of the crane. The two bearings for the 10,000 mt Sleipnir Tub Cranes are segmented. The design of the bearings allows for inspection of the rollers without disassembly of the bearing.
The assembly of the first bearing has been completed at Huisman China, the assembly of the second is scheduled to start in March.
Picture: The Sleipnir (by Heerema).
