Full range in the offshore sector

An increasing number of RUD lifting means are DNV certified for use in the maritime environment

Only on land, or also on water, is the key question. This is because not all lifting means available on the market are suitable for use in harsh maritime environments. Some lifting points, hooks and, chain suspensions should not come into permanent contact with salt water or salty air, at least not if they are to remain functional in the long term. This is because the corrosive environment on ships or oil rigs is extremely hard on steel components, and only selected components can withstand it over long periods of time. This is all the more true when the vessels or oil rigs are exposed to the extreme conditions of the North Sea or the Roaring Forties. Only a few options remain for maritime lifting under the North Star or the Southern Cross.

Lifting means for ships, offshore wind parks, or oil rigs

At RUD, however, the number of lifting means that are seaworthy in case of doubt and can be used on freighters, cruise and research ships, drilling rigs, and offshore wind parks is constantly increasing. Proof of this is the steady increase in certifications to DNV-ST 0377 and DNV-ST 0378, which provide information on suitability for use on ships or offshore platforms. For use on the seven seas, RUD considers not only an exceptional component such as the ROV-HOOK, which has revolutionised lifting hook technology for underwater applications and has to be saltwater-resistant for permanent use at depths of hundreds or thousands of metres - such as when laying pipelines. Indeed, many other RUD lifting solutions are now qualified for maritime environments through DNV certification. This includes bolt-on and weldable lifting points, as well as complete chain suspensions and their components.

Certification according to DNV standards is usually a requirement for offshore use

Certification in accordance with DNV standards DNV-ST 0377 and DNV-ST 0378 is usually a prerequisite for potential users to even consider certain lifting means as possible solutions for their respective application scenarios. This is because the certificates show that international safety and quality standards have been met. Certification according to DNV-ST 0377 specifically means that a lifting means is suitable for the safe loading and unloading of ships in ports and sheltered waters, but also for the safe handling of supplies, spare parts, gangways, lifeboats, or (especially on cruise ships) large systems used in entertainment electronics. Similarly, certification according to DNV-ST 0378 qualifies a lifting means as a solution for safe lifting operations on offshore platforms, be it during the construction of the platforms themselves, the supply of personnel, or during repair and maintenance work.

Much wider range of certified lifting means

These two DNV certifications have long been held by RUD for the weldable W-ABA lifting points, the bolt-on and weldable VLBG and VLBS load blocks, and a wide range of components for VIP chain suspensions. The last group includes VIP round steel chains, single, double or four strand heads type VAK, VIP end links type VA and VB, VVGS clevis shackles, VCGH clevis hooks, and VIP multi-shortening claws. However, the range of certified lifting means has been significantly expanded once again: the RBG, VRBG, VRBK and VRBS bolt-on and weldable ring blocks and the secret new star of the maritime RUD portfolio - the highly corrosion-resistant, weldable stainless steel lifting point INOX-ABA - have been recently certified. It has been installed on a number of large cruise ships, primarily to secure lifeboats or large entertainment electronics systems, but also as an anchor point for personal safety - the 1.6 tonne version also has PPE certification for this purpose.

General proof of safety and quality

When it comes to safely lifting loads onto ships or offshore installations, RUD now has a truly complete range in its portfolio: lifting points for different requirements are available, as well as variably configurable chain suspensions or high-safety underwater hooks. Users can therefore handle almost all typical maritime lifting tasks with the help of RUD lifting means. However, the significance of DNV certificates, which recognise the corresponding suitability, ultimately goes much further. Many RUD lifting solutions are now certified according to DNV-ST 0377 and DNV-ST 0378, making them suitable for more than just maritime applications. In fact, these certifications generally underline the high standards of safety and quality that RUD Anschlagtechnik has always stood for. The fact that solutions are available that can withstand the extreme conditions of the roughest northern and southern seas underlines how safe users can feel when using RUD lifting means onshore.