Next generation fiber rope for safe heave compensated lifting of heavy offshore loads

The main goal of the planned innovation is to build upon the NOV Trident crane solution and introduce a system that allows for fiber rope condition monitoring in real time and transmits data through the rope during operation. The intended Trident rope monitoring solution will involve embedded sensor arrays based on which the remaining useful life of the rope will be estimated continuously. At the same time, direct communication and data transfer between the crane and a suitably instrumented hook will be enabled. Many demanding maritime operations involve cranes, traditionally employing steel wires to handle the load. When handling heavier loads in deeper water, the state of the art can be significantly improved by replacing the steel wires by the much lighter synthetic fiber rope. The market asks for solutions based on fiber ropes to reduce the crane size and costs and increase lifting capacity. The ship size can thus be reduced implying less environmental emissions and reduced operational costs. Fiber ropes are today costly in use because of the high safety factor imposed. This leads to over sizing and too conservative lifetime predictions. The ropes are thus taken out of service well before they are worn out. This cost driving situation needs to be addressed by systematic research with the goal to reduce the fiber rope safety factor to 2 - 2.5 and safely extend the lifetime of the ropes in operation.