The World's Largest Crane Vessel SSCV Sleipnir

Welcome to Machine Bio. Today, we spotlight the world's largest crane vessel. A marvel of modern marine engineering, and represents the pinnacle of offshore construction technology, the SSCV Sleipner. And without a further due, let's get it on. The SSCV Sleipner is one of the most remarkable engineering achievements in modern offshore construction. Owned and operated by Hiramar Marine Contractors of the Netherlands, this semi-submersible crane vessel was ordered in 2015 and built in Singapore by Semcot Marine. On May 24, 2019, it was officially christened, carrying with it a name steeped in Norse mythology Sleipner, Odin's legendary eight-legged horse. With a construction cost of 1.5 billion US dollars, the Sleipner is a true giant of the seas. Structurally, the vessel consists of a massive platform supported by eight columns, four on each side resting on two large pontoons. While this setup is standard for semi-submersible crane vessels, the Sleipner stands apart for its design innovation. Traditional SSCVs rely on enlarged columns beneath the cranes for stability, which can result in severe pitching in rough seas. In contrast, Sleipner employs rounded, symmetrical columns, reducing motion and improving performance even under challenging conditions. The pontoons also play a critical role, helping to minimize drag. At the heart of Sleipner's capabilities are its two colossal revolving cranes, designed and built by Hoosman Equipment BV. Each crane can lift 10,000 tons at radius between 27 and 48 meters, with a maximum boom length of 144 meters. At longer reaches, their capacities are just 7,000 tons at up to 62 meters, 4,000 tons at 82 meters, and still 102 meters with the main hoist. Together, these twin cranes can perform a combined lift of 20,000 tons. The largest lifting capacity of any crane vessel in the world. Each crane is strung with 33 kilometers of 72-millimeter braided wire rope, powerful enough to hoist structures of extraordinary size. Supporting them are auxiliary hoists capable of 2,500 tons and a whip hoist of 200 tons, extending operational flexibility. A third auxiliary crane, located at the opposite end of the vessel, provides yet another layer of functionality. With the ability to lower 70 tons to depths of 2,000 meters, it enables subsea installation and recovery work with unmatched efficiency. The vessel itself is powered by 12 MAN 8L 5160DF four-stroke dual-fuel engines, arranged in four separate engine rooms of three engines each. This immense power plant gives Sleipner transatlantic range and the endurance to remain on station for a month at a time. Propulsion is delivered through eight Wärtsilä Azimuth thrusters, for forward and fore-aft. All underwater mountable, eliminating the need for dry docking during maintenance. For precision operations, Sleipner uses a 12-point mooring system with six 12-ton anchors, capable of holding position within just 30 centimeters. During sea trials, the vessel achieved a top speed of 22.6 kilometers per hour, with a cruising speed of 19 kilometers per hour. In July 2020, Sleipner etched its name into the record books. At the Jotun field, 200 kilometers west of Stavanger, Norway, it successfully removed the 8,100-ton Jotun B jacket. The heaviest single-lift jacket removal ever performed. The entire project was completed in just four days, a full day ahead of schedule. Beyond its lifting power, Sleipner is a floating city. Its vast deck covers 12,000 square meters, 220 meters long and 120 meters wide, capable of carrying up to 20,000 tons of cargo. A circular helipad, 28 meters across, can accommodate large helicopters such as the Sikorsky S-92 or Augusta Westland EH-101. Living quarters are designed for 400 people, with executive, single, and double cabins, supported by a dining hall that seats 200. Safety is also paramount, the vessel is equipped with nine Harding FF 1200 free-fall lifeboats, each capable of carrying 70 people. The SSCV Sleipner is more than a crane vessel. It is a marvel of modern marine engineering. With its groundbreaking design, record-breaking lifting power, and capacity to house an entire offshore workforce, it represents the very pinnacle of offshore construction technology. Give us a thumbs up if you like this video, and don't forget to subscribe, hit that bell icon so that you won't miss our next incredible machine story. This is MachineBio. Where giants comes to life.