Sarens SGC-120 Performs Heavy Reactor Lifts at HPCL Refinery

Mighty Sarens SGC-120 crane performs super-heavy lifts at Indian refinery project

Sarens has deployed its SGC-120 crane for use at the HPCL Refinery in Andhra Pradesh, India. The crane was hired by client L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering Ltd. and will remain on site for just over seven months, including assembly and disassembly. Its presence there serves HPCL’s greater vision of modernising and expanding the Vishakhapatnam refinery while nearly doubling its production capacity.

The crane was sent from New Castle, UK to Antwerp, and then on to Kakinada port in India. There were some anxious moments as staff on both sides of the journey monitored the blockage of the Suez canal, which coincided with the ship sailing off from Antwerp. Another challenge, raised by ongoing pandemic conditions, was mobilising an international crew for the SGC-120 crane. With 24×7 coordination between all concerned parties across Operations, HR, Admin, and the Project Team, Sarens successfully mobilised the expat and Indian crew at Kakinada and Vishakhapatnam.

During its time on site, the SGC-120 (Upgrade) will be used for a series of super-heavy lifts, including for five World’s Heaviest LC MAX Reactor weighing 2.210T and 4 other similar Reactors. The crane has been specially reinforced and prepared to lift these extremely heavy loads. In addition to the reactor lifts, the SGC-120 will be lifting some of the heavy pipe rack modules on site for which special lifting arrangement has also been designed and provided by Sarens.

Sarens mentioned they are pleased to have provided the SGC-120 crane for this important project, particularly as the Indian construction industry and the concept of modularization continues to expand and Sarens becomes a reference in the field of heavy lifting within the country. According to Regional Director, South Asia, Navneet Jain,

“Modularisation considerably reduces the time and cost of the project for the client and Sarens, with its diversified fleet of equipment and proven experience of lifting heavy modules, has proven to be the best heavy lift service provider.” He adds, “Clients are already approaching Sarens with the intent of having all lifting services under one roof, and providing these SGC cranes is an important part of that vision.”