Jib crane repair at Hai Phong: AH36 steel renewal and load test

A damaged jib crane can interrupt cargo discharge and leave the vessel with a lifting appliance that must be inspected before it is used again. Jib deformation, cracked brackets, damaged wire ropes, worn sheaves and hook-block defects need different repair scopes. Our technicians inspect the affected structure and crane functions so the worklist addresses the fault rather than proposing a general overhaul.

SVC repairs jib, grab, deck and provision cranes in Vietnam. Our fitters and welders undertake the commissioned mechanical and structural work; we supply specified wire ropes and replacement components, prepare the crane for the agreed NDT and surveyor inspections, and carry out the required function and load-test work.

For a new jib crane repair, SVC sets the worklist from the crane type, safe working load (SWL), damage, steel thickness, access, vessel schedule, class requirements and spare-part availability. Owners can commission the applicable items below. A wire defect, a damaged bracket and a hydraulic fault do not automatically require the same work.

• Inspect the damaged jib and the adjacent load-bearing structure.
• Check the jib body, reinforcement brackets, pins, sheaves and wire condition.
• Mark the steel sections for crop and renewal.
• Remove the damaged plate, brackets or stiffeners.
• Fabricate the replacement steel parts and check their fit.
• Fit AH36 or the specified approved material for the repair.
• Weld the renewal sections and complete the required grinding and finishing.
• Prepare and perform the specified UT, PT or other NDT within the commissioned scope.
• Check hoisting wire, luffing wire, sheaves and hook block.
• Present the repair at the agreed class, surveyor and owner inspection points.
• Carry out the specified function checks and load-test scope after repair.

A jib body or reinforcement bracket carries lifting loads. Our welders therefore work to the agreed structural repair scope, with material, fit-up, welding and inspection points established before the damaged steel is removed. The repair plan identifies which parts can be faired and which require renewal.

The Hai Phong job used 10 mm high-tensile AH36 steel for the renewed section. The fit-up was inspected before welding. The shipyard repair work included welding inspection and the specified post-weld NDT. AH36 at that thickness is the material recorded for this job; a different crane repair must use the material and dimensions required for its own design.

After structural repair, wire replacement or major component renewal, the crane may need an onboard load test. Our team establishes the required test load, suitable water bags or test weights, test area and attendance requirements with the owner and attending surveyor before starting. The vessel condition and class instruction determine the test scope.

The test checks the agreed lifting functions, including brake holding, hoisting, luffing, slewing and structural response under the controlled load. SVC records the test work and issues the completion records for its commissioned scope.

In the Hai Phong case, the recorded work stages included transfer to the shipyard, repair and welding inspection there, then transfer back on board, assembly and load testing. The original work photographs remain with this case.

The repair team and vessel agree safe access, machinery isolation, the lifting plan, staging, fire watch and hot-work permissions before work begins. Removed or suspended crane components must be securely held during dismantling, fabrication and assembly. Work at height and tensioned wire ropes need their own controls within that plan.

Keep a damaged crane out of lifting service until the repair condition, inspections and required load test have been checked. Cargo delays do not justify temporary use of damaged load-bearing members. Our technicians identify the work and inspection stages with the vessel so the crew and cargo personnel know when the crane remains unavailable.

Email our crane repair team with the following details. Our repair team uses them to define the inspection, fabrication, welding, wire and test items for your vessel.

• Vessel particulars, port, berth or anchorage, ETA and the available work period.
• Crane maker, model, SWL and the affected crane number.
• Fault description and clear photographs of the damaged jib, brackets and adjacent structure.
• Repair sketches, steel thickness and material information where available.
• Hoisting or luffing rope particulars if wire supply or renewal is required.
• Class comments, surveyor requirements and any specified NDT or load test.