KONECRANES FLIES INTO ACTION FOR BOND OFFSHORE HELICOPTERS

It was not just Konecranes engineering expertise that came under the spotlight recently, but also its logistical capabilities. And it all centred on the world’s leading lifting equipment manufacturer transporting an under-running double girder crane spanning 36 metres from its crane-manufacturing site in East Kilbride to Aberdeen Airport. Once onsite, the two tonne capacity crane complete with Konecranes popular CXT electric wire hoist, was installed into a new, 21,000 sq ft hangar for Bond Offshore Helicopters, constructed by main contractors, MTM Construction of Aberdeen. With transportation and installation taking place within just one day, it was a seamless process that caught the eye of the project architect responsible for the design of the facility and specification of the Konecranes lifting equipment, Ian Rodger of Ian Rodger architects. “The whole process was something to witness, particularly as everything unfolded during one Saturday. Not only did Konecranes overcome the tight confines of access roads, the airport hangar and M&E services, they manoeuvred the crane into position before successfully installing it onto its support beams the same day. The timeframe in which all of this happened was really quite remarkable, and one that saw Konecranes being ably assisted by Finnie Transport, James Jack Cranes, MTM and the local constabulary. Collectively, it was an outstanding operation, best summed-up by saying a big thank you and well done guys.” With the double gantry crane and hoist now installed and commissioned, it will be used to lift and move components such as engines and gearboxes in a facility that is being deployed to service and maintain several members of the Bond Offshore Helicopter fleet. Commenting on behalf of Konecranes, Gordon Adie, Industrial Equipment Director for Europe West, said: “This is a perfect example of not just the design and engineering planning that goes into a project, but the many and varied logistical constraints that we often have to face. In this instance the physical span of the crane not only meant we had to look at minute transportation detailing and exact route planning, the same was equally applicable onsite, in particular in being able to manoeuvre the crane beams successfully into the hangar.” Bond Offshore Helicopters specialises in providing energy support and life and rescue services to blue-chip corporations in the UK's offshore oil and gas industry. Responsible for transporting more than 200,000 oil and gas industry staff across the North Sea, including numerous search and rescue missions, Bond Offshore Helicopters is part of Babcock International Group, a world-leading provider of mission critical aerial services, with a global fleet of around 385 aircraft and nearly 3,000 staff.