In January MacGREGOR is delivering the world first subsea knuckle-jib crane equipped with a system for fibre rope handling, which will be installed on the subsea vessel Havila Phoenix. The 250-tonne Hydramarine active heave-compensated (AHC) offshore crane is designed with a 250-tonne/3,000m single-line winch and is prepared for a 250-tonne single-line fibre rope.

MacGREGOR technology for handling lightweight fibre rope rather than traditional steel wire rope offers several advantages that will meet the ever-increasing demands of the offshore industry as operators move further into deeper and more remote territories, says ystein Bondevik, sales director in MacGREGOR Offshore division. For example, due to the neutralisation of the weight of the fibre rope in the water, much heavier loads can be handled without strain to the crane at unlimited depths. Consequently, overall safety is improved due to the lighter equipment, which can still carry out heavy work operations.

This is another example of how MacGREGOR revolutionary subsea technology will transform ultra deepwater operations, making them more profitable and efficient than ever. MacGREGOR Offshore division has already established a leading global position with subsea load-handling systems such as launch and recovery systems (LARS) for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), subsea module-handling and AHC offshore/subsea cranes.

The new generation of MacGREGOR Hydramarine subsea technology with operational capacity of up to 600 tonnes at depths down to 10,000m ensures indispensable precision, efficiency and safety in extreme conditions during year-around operations, Mr Bondevik says.

As world demand for energy increases while current oil resources of oil-producing countries are depleting, the offshore industry is forced to unlock access to the untapped sources of world oil supply. The renewed focus of the offshore industry on exploration and exploitation due to the decrease in current oil supply deposits has resulted in the rapid development of subsea technology for both oil and gas procurement.


Caption: 250-tonne AHC subsea knuckle-jib crane under final test at MacGREGOR facility in Kristiansand, Norway


Caption: Special composite 250-tonne wire sheaves prepared for fibre rope

For downloading high resolution images:
250-tonne AHC subsea knuckle-jib crane under final test

Special composite 250-tonne wire sheaves prepared for fibre rope

[ends]

For further information please contact:
ystein Bondevik, Sales Director, Offshore division
Tel: +47 95 72 34 13 Fax: + 47 38 01 87 01
E-mail: oystein.bondevik@macgregor-group.com

or

MacGREGOR Group press office:
Steve Labdon, MacGREGOR Group Media Representative
Tel: +44 (0)20 8370 1740 Fax: +44 (0)20 8364 1331
E-mail: steve.labdon@j-l-a.com

The MacGREGOR Group
MacGREGOR Group is the global market leader in engineering and service solutions for the maritime transportation and offshore industries. Ship owners, ship and port operators and shipyards in the commercial marine and offshore industries are our customers. Products include hatch covers, cranes, equipment for RoRo ships and ports, and solutions for cargo lashing, bulk handling, offshore load-handling and naval logistics. We also provide worldwide service and support.

MacGREGOR's 2007 net sales totalled EUR 748 million. MacGREGOR employed 2223 people at the end of December 2007. The Group operates in 50 major shipping and shipbuilding countries and its service network consists of approximately 60 service stations. Visit our website at www.macgregor-group.com

MacGREGOR is part of Cargotec Corporation, the world's leading provider of cargo handling solutions, which are used in local transportation, terminals, ports, distribution centres, and ships. Cargotec's sales exceed EUR 3 billion and the company employs approximately 12,000 people. Cargotec's class B shares are quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.