Qidong vessel joins Norwegian salvage operation

The Norwegian navy vessel Helge Ingstad is photographed with severe damage following a collision with a 62,557-ton Maltese-registered tanker, on Nov 8, 2018. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]

A specially-equipped heavy crane vessel from Nantong, Jiangsu province, recently played a starring role in an international salvage operation to lift a grounded Norwegian frigate.

The Rambiz, which was manufactured in the county-level city of Qidong, managed to lift the Helge Ingstad in partnership with another crane vesse. 

The 5,290-ton warship, a Nansen-class multi-role frigate of the Royal Norwegian Navy with a crew of 137 on board, collided with the 62,557-ton Maltese-registered tanker Sola TS with a crew of 23 , near the Bergen (West) oil terminal, on Nov 8, 2018. 

The warship sustained severe damage in the incident, including losing control of its rudder and propulsion systems. It quickly began taking on water and started to list before running aground. 

Prior to the vessel’s departure from China, it was installed with additional equipment in Xiamen, South China’s Fujian province. At the request of the Belgian salvage company Scaldis, the new equipment was installed under the supervision of Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam. 

According to information released by Scaldis, the Rambiz is unique in the world thanks to her two cranes, shallow draft, large deck space and newly-renovated accommodation facilities. Her special features meant that she was ideal for the salvage operation. 

The combination of two main cranes enables the Rambiz to lift unusual structures that would otherwise require two separate vessels. They also allow maximum flexibility in handling complex structures. 

And the considerable deck space allows room for a crawler crane, diving, piling, grouting and ROV equipment, as well as additional accommodation.

An aerial photograph captures the grounded vessel lying on its side. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]

The Rambiz, a Qidong-built crane vessel is photographed. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]