World’s Biggest Semi-submersible Crane Vessel Debuts

The world’s biggest semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) is set to blaze the trail when it enters into service in the coming months, armed with the strongest pair of revolving cranes for offshore oil, gas and renewable energy installation and decommissioning jobs.

Named after the Norse God Odin’s eight-legged stallion and newly completed at Sembcorp Marine’s Tuas Boulevard Yard for owner Heerema Marine Contractors, Singapore, SSCV Sleipnir has a 220-m by 102-m reinforced deck area, making it the largest crane vessel to be built. The vessel also has two 10,000-ton revolving cranes which can lift loads of up to 20,000 tons in tandem. No other existing crane vessel has this capability.

Sleipnir can accommodate 400 persons and will be deployed globally for installing and removing jackets, topsides, deep-water foundations, moorings and other offshore structures. Importantly, with its single-lift capability catering to larger integrated structures than previously possible, Sleipnir is expected to minimize offshore assembly work and raise operational efficiency to a new level, while not compromising the flexibility and robustness of traditional installation methodologies. The vessel further stands out as the world’s first crane vessel with dual-fuel engines running on Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Coupled with an IMO- and US Coast Guard-approved ballast water management system, Sleipnir will operate sustainably across all environmental jurisdictions. Heerema has already secured contracts to deploy the vessel in various offshore energy developments, including: Leviathan topsides installation in the Mediterranean Sea; Tyra jackets and topsides installation and removal in the Danish North Sea; Brae B jackets and topsides removal in the UK North Sea; as well as transportation and installation of the Hollandse Kust Zuid (HKZ) Alpha HVAC platform in the North Sea, off the Dutch coast. In the offshore wind sector, Heerema sees a significant growth in the size of wind turbines and foundations, which requires specialized equipment for their installation. With its large cranes capable of a 129-m lifting height and a combined 20,000-ton lifting capacity, Sleipnir is very well placed to accommodate this trend of increasingly bigger offshore wind turbines. Speaking at Sleipnir’s christening in Tuas Boulevard Yard, Mr. Pieter Heerema, chairman of the board at Heerema Marine Contractors said:

“I am immensely proud that Heerema Marine Contractors is again taking things further with the introduction of our new semi-submersible crane vessel. Sleipnir scores several firsts in the industry. It is the largest crane vessel yet built, it has the strongest pair of revolving cranes, and it’s also the world’s first crane vessel with dual-fuel engines running on MGO and LNG, dramatically reducing harmful emissions. Sleipnir’s innovative capabilities will place Heerema even firmer at the forefront of developments in the offshore oil, gas and wind energy industry for both installations and decommissioning.” Mr, Heerema added, “Sembcorp Marine in Singapore was chosen to build Sleipnir for their professionalism and dedication to the project. The excellent cooperation between Heerema and Sembcorp Marine ensured that the project was executed smoothly, on budget and according to the best possible safety and quality standards.”