DP WORLD CRANES DELIVERED TO ST JOHN

Project Summary

For the new dock constructed at the port of St John, NB, Canada, DP World purchased two used HHI container cranes from the Wando Welch Terminal in Charleston, SC. These cranes were lowered to allow for passage under the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. After checking various ships and barges, the Korean Module Carrier HANJIN PIONEER was selected for the transport of these cranes. Argonautics Marine Engineering, Inc. assisted with the various feasibility studies, run stability and motion analyses, and provided ballast plans for the challenging loading and offloading operations in high tide conditions. The lowered cranes, weighing approximately 1,300 t each, were loaded onto the transport vessel using large transport beams and two sets of self-propelled modular trailers (SPMTs), rolled accross steel Ro/Ro ramps. After rolling on, each crane was rotated 90 deg and stowed on temporary support rails on deck. After stowing, the cranes were partly secured and the booms lowered to allow for the passage under the bridge. After mooring at the Columbus Street Terminal, the booms were fully raised and secured and all remaining pipe bracing seafastenings completed. Loose items were secured with welded clips and/or steel wire/nylon strap lashings.

Late January 2023, upon receipt of the MWS Certificate of Approval and a favorable weather window, the HANJIN PIONEER departed Charleston with destination St John. The vessel safely arrived in St John on January 27 and moored alongside the new dock where the removal of the seafastenings started. A few days later, the first crane was picked up, rotated, and rolled off over the vessel side in close timing with the extreme high tides. After some delay due to excessive winds, the second crane was also picked up, rotated, and rolled off, and lowered onto the dock rails.