Gottwald Port Technology GmbH (Gottwald), a subsidiary of
 
Demag Cranes AG, has received an order from the Norwegian
NorSea Group for a new mobile harbour crane. The G HMK
4406, a Model 4 crane, will be used in the Finish Port of Hanko
for handling pipeline sections for the new Nord Stream gas
pipeline in the Baltic Sea.
 
NORD STREAM PIPELINE
The construction of the Nord Stream pipeline from Vyborg in
Russia to Lubmin in Germany is one of the most prestigious
infrastructure projects in progress in Europe. The pipeline runs
the length of the Baltic Sea and, when completed, will transport
up to 55 billion cubic metres of Russian natural gas each year to
Europe. The aim is to commence laying the first of the 200,000
pipe sections required for the two pipeline strings, extending for
around 1,220km, in spring 2010. Some of the pipe sections for
the first string of the pipeline are being manufactured in Russia
from where they will be transported to the Finish maritime port
of Kotka. Here, each of the sections (which weigh around 11
tonnes) is given a concrete weight coating to make them weigh
twice as much, around 23 tonnes, to ensure they lie firmly on the
seabed. The concrete coated pipe sections are then shipped from
Kotka to Hanko, where the Finish marshalling yard is located.
 
G HMK 4406 MOBILE HARBOUR CRANE FOR THE HANKO
MARSHALLING YARD
At this marshalling yard, to the west of Helsinki, where a total of
40,000 pipe sections will be handled, the new G HMK 4406
mobile harbour crane will be responsible for handling these pipe
sections between the quayside and the laying barge supply
vessels. The G HMK 4406 is a diesel-electric machine from
Gottwald’s 100-tonne class. This crane has a flexible lifting
capacity curve allowing it to handle loads of up to 57 tonnes
across a wide radius. The 57 tonnes are calculated as the weights
of two pipe sections of 23 tonnes each, making 46 tonnes in
total, plus a special-purpose pipe spreader. Like all Gottwald
mobile harbour cranes, the G HMK 4406 can be used in
conjunction with suitable attachments for handling containers,
general cargo and bulk materials, which provides crane operating
companies with maximum cargo-handling flexibility over long
periods of time.
 
EFFICIENT, RELIABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY COMPATIBLE
“We are looking forward to having the G HMK 4406 mobile
harbour crane for our activities in the Port of Hanko,” enthuses
Asgeir Klingsheim, technical director of NorSea Group. “The
crane is compact and very functional and, thanks to its
characteristics and capabilities, will make a valuable contribution
to the construction of the Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic.
We were convinced not only by the capabilities and reliability of
the machine itself but also by Gottwald’s diesel-electric drive
philosophy, which enables us to achieve economical and
environmentally friendly operation.”
Gottwald’s Sales Manager for northern Europe, Hans-Jurgen
Schneider, added his comments on the sale: “We are grateful to
NorSea Group for placing its trust in us, and for using our
mobile harbour crane technology for such a pivotal role in this
infrastructure project, which is so crucial to Europe’s future.
Thanks to its capabilities, the new G HMK 4406 will be making a
key contribution to the construction of the Nord Stream pipeline
and, as a result, securing Europe’s energy supplies long-term.”
 
ABOUT GOTTWALD PORT TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Gottwald Port Technology GmbH, based in Dusseldorf, Germany,
and a subsidiary of Demag Cranes AG, is a manufacturer of
harbour cranes and terminal automation technology. With a
total of over 1,300 mobile harbour cranes sold, the company is a
world market leader in this product sector. In the field of
terminal automation, Gottwald Port Technology offers system
solutions that incorporate both the company’s own software and
hardware. Gottwald Port Technology supplies customers in
around 100 countries