Chinese Crane Barge Build Underway
A view of the 26-meter-wide bow of the crane barge. (Haig-Brown photo courtesy of Cummins Marine)
DongGuan Nanxiang Shipbuilding’s chairman Zhu Fu Lin prepares tea for Linda Zang, Cummins’ South China manager. (Haig-Brown photo courtesy of Cummins Marine)
A working drawing for the 400-ton-capacity crane barge. (Haig-Brown photo courtesy of Cummins Marine)
Liang Zhong De, deputy general manager, Guang Zhou Shun Fung Engineering Ltd.; stands with Cummins’ southern manager, Linda Zhang, in the starboard side engine room of the crane barge. The KTA19-D genset is to the left, and the KT38-m propulsion engine is to the right (Haig-Brown photo courtesy of Cummins Marine)
DongGuan Nanxiang Shipbuilding chairman Zhu Fu Lin welcomes guests with fresh-brewed local tea and explains the range of work at the shipyard: from a large fishing boat building for a Hong Kong customer, to a variety of heavy lifting crane-vessels of various sizes for a range of customers.
Although not the largest, the 400-ton-capacity 62.2- by 26.2-meter crane barge that the yard had under construction in mid-March was a good representation.
A pair of Cummins KT38-M mains, generating 780 KW each, powers the 4.8-meter-deep barge. The two main engines are located in separate port and starboard engine rooms. Each engine room also has a Cummins KTA19-D powered 350 KW generator. This electrical power is required to run the electric and hydraulic systems for the three-drum winch and pedestal-mounted crane. A smaller hotel generator is provided for that deckhouse and running lights.
Accommodation is provided in the aft-mounted deckhouse for a crew of up to 20 in eight two-person staterooms and two two-person rooms.
Designed and built in China for a domestic China customer, the crane barge is a reminder of the importance of the domestic market to Guangdong Province’s shipyards.
Delivery is anticipated for later this year.
