Tugboats Support Transport of 800-Ton Goliath Crane to Fincantieri Yard

Tugboats have supported the transport of an 800-ton Goliath ship-lift crane across the northern Adriatic to Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The crane was moved from a construction yard near Venice aboard a semi-submersible heavy-lift barge, assisted by one anchor handling tug at sea and four harbour tugs at each port. Built by Cimolai Technology, the operation was described as a historic achievement, with the crane the first of two destined for the shipyard.

 

Details of the Operation

 

The operation involved moving a substantial piece of shipyard equipment. An 800-ton Goliath ship-lift crane was mobilised for transport. It travelled from a construction yard south of Venice, Italy. Its destination was Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone. This location lies near Italy's border with Slovenia.

The route crossed a significant stretch of open water. The crane travelled from Porto Val da Rio in Chioggia to Monfalcone. This crossing spanned the northern Adriatic and the Gulf of Trieste. The journey required careful coordination across multiple stages. Each stage presented its own logistical demands.

 

The Transport Vessel

 

The crane was carried on a specialised heavy-lift vessel. It was transported aboard Boa Offshore's semi-submersible heavy-lift barge. The vessel is named Boa Barge 38 and was built in 2022. This barge is designed for carrying exceptionally heavy cargo. Its capabilities suited the demands of the Goliath crane.

The barge offers substantial capacity and dimensions. It measures 15,675 gross tonnes with a beam of 38 metres. It has a heavy cargo capacity of 28,500 tonnes. Its deck strength reaches 35 tonnes per square metre. The vessel provides 5,150 square metres of deck space in total.

 

The Role of the Tugboats

 

Tugboats played a central role throughout the operation. One anchor handling tug assisted during the open sea voyage. Four harbour tugs supported operations in the departure port. A further four harbour tugs assisted at the arrival port. This division reflected the different demands of each phase.

The tugs performed distinct functions at each location. In Porto Val da Rio, four harbour tugs pulled the barge from the quayside. They manoeuvred and towed it toward the open sea. There it was attached to a towline and the anchor handling tug. This handover marked the transition to the sea voyage phase.

 

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Arrival and Unloading

 

The arrival phase required careful tug coordination. At Monfalcone, four harbour tugs handled the incoming barge. They towed the 152-metre barge with its cargo into the port. The tugs then pushed it onto the shipyard quayside. This positioning prepared the vessel for unloading.

The final stage completed the crane's delivery. The crane was unloaded at the shipyard quayside. It was then positioned within the facility itself. This concluded the complex multi-stage transport operation. The successful delivery placed the crane at its intended destination.

 

Significance of the Project

 

The operation carried considerable importance for those involved. Cimolai Technology had the Goliath crane built and delivered to Fincantieri. The company described the mobilisation as a historic achievement. This reflects the scale and complexity of the undertaking. It represented a milestone in the company's project work.

Company leadership expressed pride in the accomplishment. The chief executive said seeing the crane set sail filled the company with pride. He noted this was the first of two Goliath cranes. Such projects confirm the ability to solve complex engineering challenges. They demonstrate delivering reliable and cutting-edge solutions.