Last Updated on May 21, 2025 by PALFINGER
Last year, we sat down with Thomas Imbert, Lead Project Manager for the Aker BP project at PALFINGER MARINE, to talk about the volume and progress of our frame agreement to become the main supplier of state-of-the-art, fully electric offshore cranes for all newbuilds of long-time customer and partner Aker BP. We thought it was time to revisit the topic as the first electric wall running jib crane (TKJe) passed its factory acceptance test (FAT) with flying colors. Our dedicated Project Manager, Pawel Safian, shared his thoughts on the next major milestone.
The TKJe crane in question, the first of its kind ever designed and manufactured by PALFINGER MARINE, is earmarked for the Hugin A platform in the Yggdrasil area. One of the most important features of this model is its ability to move along the wall of a structure, opening areas that are typically difficult to access for traditional cranes. “I like to think of the TKJe as a hybrid between a jib crane and a bridge crane, developed to operate horizontally along a wall,” Pawel explains. Our TKJe crane is equipped with a state-of-the-art anticollision system based on LIDAR technology, ensuring safe and precise performance even in challenging environments. “The 40-tonne, 9-meter-high travelling crane will operate 15 meters above deck level with an outreach of 16 meters. The configuration of 41-meter-long runway beams results in an operational area with a width of 35 meters,” he adds in terms of technical specs. In short: the perfect solution for material handling operations underneath the cantilever in the well bay area.
A SUCCESSFUL FAT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
Having laid out the technical background, Pawel is keen to expand on the development process. “The project kicked off with the engineering phase in October 2022. The assembly process at PALFINGER MARINE Poland site took place from July to December last year, leading up to well-executed testing phase earlier this year. The milestone we are celebrating is the successful FAT,” he beams. In the end, the FAT took less time than expected. “Eleven client representatives, two DNV surveyors, and a team of four PALFINGER MARINE employees attended a process that was supposed to last a full week but ultimately took no more than four days,” Pawel reveals.
The successful FAT of the first-ever wall-running crane marks a major milestone — a testament to our development and engineering skills.
MAKING ROOM FOR THE SECOND CRANE
The next step involves freeing up the tailor-made test stand in Poland for the second TKJe crane destined for the PWP platform in the Valhall PWP-Fenris development project. “Following several weeks of start-up proceedings and initial testing, the FAT for the second model is scheduled to take place late June or early July 2025. Both cranes will subsequently be delivered to the customer in Norway after the summer,” Pawel states. “I will remain closely involved in my capacity as project manager responsible for the scope of all TKJe cranes for the Aker BP project. I can’t wait to push the forward project,” he adds.
CHALLENGES AS OPPORTUNITIES
When asked about specific challenges our teams faced during the process to date, Pawel first mentions the test stand setup: “Due to the unique interface between the crane and the rig, it became necessary to design and manufacture a 50-tonne test stand adapter to allow for the simulation of the crane’s movement along the beams. We also had to produce a special frame to lift the completely assembled pedestal before rotating it from horizontal to vertical while suspended in mid-air. My colleagues behind the lifting operation did a truly spectacular job.” Speaking of logistics, Pawel recalls another related challenge: “The shipment of the runway beams from the steel manufacturer to the assembly location required a meticulous transportability study that even resulted in the dismantling of traffic infrastructure during the transfer in the dead of night.”
INNOVATIVE, PIVOTAL, COLLABORATIVE
Pawel recently celebrated his sixth anniversary at PALFINGER MARINE. “I started as a Project Manager at our facility in Gdynia, Poland, and for the past three years, I’ve been based in Norway, though I still travel frequently,” he shares. “In all these years, I have learned how important it is to collaborate across all disciplines and departments to get the job done. This project was no different. Technical excellence, combined with professionally executed assembly and start-up phases, were the backbone of this success story. I am really proud of what we achieved. The smooth FAT process validates months of detailed engineering, careful planning, and dedicated teamwork.” For Pawel, his work is encapsulated by three adjectives: innovative, pivotal, and collaborative. We couldn’t agree more.
Stay tuned for more information about the next project-related milestones as this exciting order progresses. The story is far from over, with many exciting chapters yet to come!