AFRICA | REGIONAL REPORT
After installation, Natal Cranes will also
oversee commissioning. Condra’s 12,5/25,0/12,5-ton overhead
travelling crane was ordered as part of a 7,7-billion rand upgrade and expansion of the mill, making it one of the biggest dedicated dissolving pulp plants in the world. Global demand is increasing for this key input in textile manufacture, food processing and pharmaceutical production. The pulp dryer line to be serviced by
the new crane is noted for a corrosive environment resulting from the use of steam-heated drying cylinders to dry the sheet-form pulp ahead of packing and shipping. Manufacture of the crane from carefully selected materials and the use of
anti-corrosion finishes will afford protection. All motor and electric panel insulation has been protected to Standard IP65, while the panels themselves and all handrails are of stainless steel. Crane platforms have been fitted with fiberglass grating instead of steel chequer plate, and all crane components are coated with a special anti- corrosion finish. The crane’s load lifts are failsafe. Its three hoists are fitted with secondary emergency brakes on the rope drums to back up standard brakes on the electric motors. The new crane will become Condra’s second to work at the plant, joining a single-girder overhead crane manufactured by Condra in 1984. Competition for the contract was keen. Five companies from
Europe and Africa submitted tenders. Local content allows Condra to deliver overhead cranes with the lowest possible lifetime cost. This, and the proven reliability of Condra’s existing installation, is thought to have reinforced a competitively priced bid to secure the turnkey contract. The new crane is scheduled for commissioning early in 2024.
Among supply and service firms, Paterson Simons have been involved in West and Central Africa since 1948, commissioning and installing overhead cranes and other lifting equipment. Volta River Authority (VRA) is the national generator and supplier of electricity in Ghana. It was established in 1961 to manage output from the then newly-commissioned
VANGUARD SETS BARQUE SHIP-SHAPE
Vanguard successfully completed a complex lifting operation to set upright a barque rigged sailing vessel, named the Europa, at Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Yard, Cape Town. The vessel, which weighs 650t and measures 44.5m in length, had slipped from its keel supports and rolled onto its starboard side during relaunching operations. Vanguard were contracted to engineer and perform a righting operation to realign the vessel with the centre line of the track system. The restricted workable space surrounding the vessel made a crane lift impossible. Vanguard’s engineering team therefore designed a bespoke lifting solution.
The solution consisted of four hydraulic gantry systems, which were positioned over the vessel and between the masts to minimise further impact to the masts and rigging. Once the 400t and 600t capacity systems were in place at the bow, and 500t capacity systems at the stern, the header beams were lifted into position and four 186t capacity strand jacks were installed. The strand jack system was rigged to keel brackets that had been custom fabricated for the operation. It provided a high degree of accuracy and enabled the Vanguard team to lift and upright the vessel in a controlled and precise manner. Once the vertical lift had been completed, Vanguard completed a transverse skidding operation to realign the vessel with the track system. “Vanguard were delighted to work for Resolve Marine and alongside Trinity Marine Architects on this unique project. The extensive planning and engineering work
that was involved is evident in the precision of the execution,” commented Bryan Hodgkinson, Director at Vanguard. “It was
project is testament to the knowledge and experience within the business”.
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