Friday roundup: AFD leadership, giant tower crane, LNG jacking, rigging innovations

Alevro transporting one of three 3,600 tonne LNG compressors for the Pluto LNG facility quayside using 168 axle lines of self propelled modular transporter. Photo: Woodside Energy

We started the week with an interview from Crane & Transport Briefing’s D. Ann Shiffler with chief financial officer of Advanced Freight Dynamics. Alana Lyons wears many hats at AFD, balancing her role as CFO with a host of other critical responsibilities. Together with her husband Steven, Lyons has helped build AFD from a single box truck into a well-respected heavy haul and logistics company that manages some of the most complex transportation projects across the United States.

Tuesday brought you the latest news and moves from across the crane and specialized transport sector with our Crane and Transport Briefing Extra newsletter. The top story this week highlighted the speakers for this year’s World Crane & Transport Summit in Dublin and a new, giant tower crane from Sany. The 3,360 tonne-metre flat top is for bridge and power station construction.

Manoeuvring and jacking down a trio of enormous compressors each weighing 3,600 tonnes was no mean feat on a project in Australia. Wednesday detailed a synchronous jacking system that was selected for the jack down by contractor Alevro, a joint-venture company between Italian heavy lift and transport specialist Fagioli and Australian engineering specialist Monadelphous. Alevro chose to use an Enerpac EVO system for the project at the Pluto LNG onshore facility near Karratha in Western Australia. The giant compressors are used to make the liquefied natural gas (LNG) by compressing and condensing mainly methane gas to around minus 160 degrees centigrade, turning it into a liquid.

From ultra-flexible wire rope slings that reduce fatigue to advanced load navigation systems that improve control in challenging environments, on Thursday, we explored how manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in rigging technology. With a focus on both strength and ease of use, these innovations help crews work smarter, safer and faster.