The knuckle boom marine shipboard deck crane, a core lifting device installed on ship decks, stands out for its folding boom design, combining heavy-load lifting capacity with space adaptability. Widely used in ocean transportation, offshore engineering, and special vessel operations, it works in tandem with marine cranes, ship cranes, and other equipment to form a critical support system for ship material transfer and equipment maintenance.
Core Design: Dual Advantages Enabled by Folding Boom
1. Balancing Heavy-Load Performance and Flexible Operation
Heavy-load capacity: Covering a lifting moment range of 100–5000 kNm, mainstream models such as the 20t@15m variant can lift 20 tons at an 15-meter radius. This meets demands for lifting supplies (e.g., fuel tanks, food containers) and equipment (e.g., lifeboats, scientific instruments), matching the robustness of larger marine cranes.
Precise control: Each boom joint adjusts independently, paired with a proportional hydraulic control system for millimeter-level micro-movements. During ship-to-ship material transfers in sea states up to 5, it dynamically compensates for boom angles to limit load swing to within 30cm—far exceeding the precision of traditional straight-boom deck cranes.
2. Space Optimization and Environmental Adaptability
In non-operating mode, the boom folds parallel to the deck, occupying only 1/3 of the space in its extended state. This avoids disrupting the ship’s center of gravity or interfering with other deck operations like container stacking or crew movement.
Typical Applications: Covering the Full Vessel Lifecycle
1. Routine Supply for Ocean-Going Vessels
On bulk carriers and container ships, knuckle boom deck cranes handle fuel, freshwater, and spare parts:
Equipped with rotating spreaders, they can load/unload 20ft/40ft standard containers with 360° rotation. The anti-sway system reduces single transfer time to 5 minutes, 40% faster than traditional straight-boom cranes.
For cargo like lubricant barrels, telescopic hooks enable precise grabbing, preventing collisions with the hull and protecting deck equipment.
2. Offshore Engineering and Special Operations
On platform supply vessels (PSVs) and oceanographic research ships, these marine cranes are indispensable:
When lifting drilling pipes or cement tanks for offshore platforms, optional superlift devices boost capacity by 20%, complementing offshore cranes in heavy-load scenarios.
Research vessels use the crane’s micro-movement control to deploy underwater robots (ROVs) into specific sea areas. The boom’s multi-angle adjustment adapts to varying ocean currents.
3. Emergency Rescue and Equipment Maintenance
The crane’s rapid response is critical during emergencies:
In abandon-ship situations, it lowers lifeboats to the water in 3 minutes. An independent hydraulic pump ensures operation even if the main power fails.
For routine maintenance, it lifts heavy engine parts (e.g., pistons, crankshafts) using multi-point balancing technology, keeping components level to avoid collisions with engine room structures.
Compatible Attachments and Technical Upgrades
To expand functionality, knuckle boom marine deck cranes can integrate specialized attachments:
Container spreaders: Quickly connect to 20ft/40ft standard containers for standardized material transfer.
Grabs: Handle bulk cargo like grain or ore, with hydraulic rotation for efficient unloading.
Personnel baskets: Transport maintenance crews to masts or chimneys, eliminating the need for separate aerial work platforms and saving deck space.
High-end models also feature Active Heave Compensation (AHC) systems. Sensors monitor hull movement in rough seas, automatically adjusting boom length to keep loads stable—making them vital for offshore wind installation vessels and salvage ships.
From routine supply on cargo ships to heavy lifting in offshore engineering, knuckle boom marine shipboard deck cranes excel as "powerful yet flexible" workhorses in the marine crane family. Working alongside ship cranes and deck cranes, they provide safe, efficient lifting solutions for complex maritime environments, driving progress in global shipping and ocean engineering.
Post time: Jul-15-2025
