Experts Team up to Launch MacGregor’s Technology-Leading Fiber-Rope Crane

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, can now offer the offshore industry a technology-leading fiber-rope crane. The crane has been developed by combining MacGregor’s proven offshore crane technology with the fiber-rope tensioning technology perfected by Parkburn Precision Handling Systems. The companies have entered into a cooperation agreement to combine MacGregor’s offshore crane expertise with Parkburn’s fibre-rope tensioning technology. 

“MacGregor recognises that by partnering with experts in specific technological areas, it can deliver solutions that exceed its own capabilities,” says MacGregor’s Vice President, R&D and Technology, Baard Trondahl Alsaker. “We see ourselves as being able to integrate the best technology available to deliver systems with technology-leading capabilities.”

The new MacGregor crane features a simple-to-operate fiber-rope lifting system that employs Parkburn’s unique tensioning technology. The Parkburn equipment eliminates the heating and degradation problems associated with on-load fiber ropes stored on winch drums. Importantly, it can accommodate non-uniformities resulting from splices in the rope.

“This is an important advance for handling loads at depth,” says Mr Alsaker. “The great advantage of fibre rope in this context is that it weighs virtually nothing in water, so regardless of the length of rope paid out, it does not add anything to the load experienced by the crane. This is in complete contrast to the situation with wire rope, where the ever increasing weight of wire paid out limits the load permissible in relation to depth.”

The new crane will be introduced to the market as a 150T fully heave-compensated knuckle boom crane with capability of reaching 4000m of water depth, but the offering will be extended to the complete range of MacGregor subsea crane fleet.

The MacGregor fibre rope technology is also suitable for retrofit on existing subsea cranes. This enables upgrading the capabilities of existing construction vessel fleet without having to build new vessels, an important feature to meet the requirement for reducing the cost level of the industry.

Parkburn is a UK-based marine handling systems provider that has spent over 40 years perfecting the deep-water handing systems required in fire-rope cranes. Its fibre-rope winch system can be delivered as digitally controlled electrically-driven, or hydraulic-driven. Features include integral active-heave compensation and power regeneration capabilities. 

Get the free newsletter

Sign up for news, trends and equipment for sale in the lifting and rigging industry.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Latest Products For Sale

Type Description
Lifting Products
Chains
5/8 GR80 Alloy Chain Self Color 150' drums
Lifting Products
Hooks
3/8 GR43 Clevis Grab Hooks Self Color
Lifting Products
Chains
1/4 GR43 High Test Self Color Chain (.38" Inside link Width) 800' drums
Lifting Products
Chains
1/4 GR30 Proof Coil Self Color 141' Pails
Lifting Products
Chains
1/8 GR30 Proof Coil Hot Dip Galv Chain 1,500' drums

News & Articles