The point of the Marine Warranty is to insure against loss of an asset. In this case, the loss of a large hull block or a topside module for an oil rig could have catastrophic repercussions for the delivery of the overall project as well as financial loss of the asset. For example, a topside module for a FPSO could cost $100’s million and take years to fabricate, if that one module is lost at sea or damaged it will ‘set back’ the project considerably.


There may therefore be a requirement either from the main shipyard themselves or the shipyard customer (Ship Owner) to have a warranty to transport the block from remote sub-contractors to the main yard. The block needs to be lifted and loaded onto the transport barge or ship and then travel by sea to arrive at the main yard, ‘just in time’, for it to be made ready to integrate with the rest of the hull structure or topsides. The seaworthiness of the barge, tug, ship, towing equipment, lashings etc. all come under the scope of the Marine Warranty Survey. If it is a particularly unusual or heavy load then it may be necessary to carry out suitability surveys of the load- out and load-in quay facilities.


It is really impressive how ‘we’ have evolved the production processes for shipbuilding and in doing so built some amazing tools to make those processes easier and more efficient. Namely the floating cranes and goliath cranes. These must be regarded as some of the world’s most impressive engineering achievements, which as tools, are used to make even bigger mega structures.


As marine warranty surveyors, we have the privilege of witnessing massive man- made structures and amazing engineering feats that have gone into overcoming technical challenges. Before any lift, we carefully assess the condition of the cranes to ensure they are fit for purpose. Recently, I had the opportunity to work on two offshore projects where we lifted big topside modules, one at Samsung Shipyard and the other from Hyundai Shipyard, using floating cranes, which were involved in some huge load-ins and lifting of structures weighing around 8,000 and 10,000 tons respectively.


Samsung Floating Crane lifting a Topside Module for integration onto Cloral FLNG.


Each crane hook is rated to 1000 ton SWL. The crane has eight independent hooks.


We often use ‘Big’ Shackles and wire strops for lifting operations. These need to be certified with a Safe Working Load and the lifting engineers need to consider what are acceptable factors of safety for every special lift operation.


Samsung Floating Crane being maneuvered by tugs and anchor handling support vessels, with the suspended module.


One shackle weighs 25 ton


Installing one lifting wire with the 25 ton shackle onto the module lifting point.


One lifting wire secured to the module with 25 ton shackle.


58 | ISSUE 106 | DEC 2023 | THE REPORT


Four-man rigger team needed to position the shackle and insert the shackle pin.


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