MMHE targets Malaysian oil expansion with 16000s
28 February 2011
Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn Bhd (MMHE) is using two Manitowoc 16000 crawler cranes to help build a semi-submersible vessel, as part of the Gumusut-Kakap deep-water oil field project.
The 400 tonne capacity cranes are working at the MMHE fabrication yard in Pasir Gudang in Johor state, Malaysia. They are lifting loads of 50 to 200 tonnes, including pre-assembled structural elements weighing up to 200 tonnes. Some of the lifts are carried out in tandem.
Both cranes are equipped with Manitowoc's Max-er capacity-enhancing attachment. Ahmad Zaki Abd Malik, senior general manager of operations at MMHE, said the company chose to purchase, rather than rent the cranes, because it represents better long-term value.
"Based on past experience, we know these cranes have a working life of 20 years or longer, so for us it made sense to purchase rather than rent. We own some cranes and rent others, but as our company expands, we are purchasing more."
MMHE owns cranes between 200 and 600 tonnes capacity, including several older Manitowoc 4100Ws and M250 cranes. It purchased the Model 16000s in 2009. The company, which started in 1973 in the shipbuilding and repair industry. rents 16 cranes from local suppliers with capacities ranging from 150 to 1,200 tonnes. Over 60% of activities are now based in engineering and construction. MMHE says it anticipates an increase in demand for oilrig-related applications and other associated equipment, and plans to add more cranes to its fleet in the future.
