VESSEL REVIEW | Zhongtian 39 – Large Chinese crane ship for offshore installation and marine construction duties

Chinese shipbuilder Zhenhua Heavy Industries recently handed over a new crane ship to Liyang Marine Engineering.

Zhongtian 39 (中天39) was designed to undertake offshore construction works with a focus on the installation of wind turbine generators of 15 MW capacity or greater as well as their associated components. The vessel can also be deployed for secondary functions such as the construction of offshore oil and gas platforms, large-scale bridge construction, lifting of heavy structural components, and salvage of large shipwrecks and other sunken objects.

Equipped for heavy lifting

The vessel has an LOA of 215 metres (705 feet), a beam of 51.8 metres (170 feet), a maximum draught of 14 metres (46 feet), and a displacement of 96,000 tonnes. The deck equipment includes a large fixed stern crane with a lifting capacity of 5,000 tonnes and a fully rotating crane that can lift up to 3,500 tonnes, ensuring the vessel's suitability for a range of installation applications particularly the lifting of 3,200-tonne wind turbine foundations and 4,500-tonne topside modules.

The fixed main crane has a maximum lifting height of 120 metres (390 feet) above the deck, though it can still up to 45 metres (150 feet) with a 5,000-tonne load. The smaller auxiliary crane meanwhile has a maximum lifting height of 140 metres (460 feet) above the deck, or the equivalent height of a 51-storey building. A MENCK 3,500kJ hydro pile hammer allows the vessel to also perform piling operations.

The propulsion system includes three 3,000kW (4,000hp) electrically-driven azimuthing thrusters and three 3,000kW side tunnel thrusters to be used for both lateral manoeuvring and positioning as part of offshore construction and salvage activities. The propulsion delivers a service speed of nine knots and gives the vessel enhanced manoeuvrability.

An eight-point anchoring system is also fitted and is used in conjunction with a DP1 system to secure the vessel when performing installation works.

Large transport capacity with adequate amenities

The deck has a total area of 4,000 square metres (43,000 square feet) and has a rated capacity of 15 tonnes per square metre for the transport of a large volume of assorted cargo. As part of its standard operating profile, the vessel will be able to load, transport, and install a 10MW wind turbine and its associated components in a single voyage, thus allowing fewer return trips to be made.

The vessel's accommodation spaces include a recreation room, a conference room, a training room, and a mess. Work on the interiors was provided by Nantong Haijing Ship Decoration.

Zhongtian 39 was designed by Shanghai Jiahao Marine Engineering Research and Design in compliance to China Classification Society rules.