Netherlands-based demolition specialist Koole Contractors has expanded its marine fleet with the acquisition of a crane vessel, adding to its capabilities within the wreck removal sector.
Koole Contractors is undergoing a period of expansion of its fleet of tugs and barges, its recent marine-related activities of note including involvement with the wreck removal and transport to Amsterdam, on the semi-submersible deck cargo pontoon Fjord in 2023, of the bulk carrier OS 35 following its foundering off Gibraltar.
Heavy lifting is an important element of Koole’s activities and its capabilities are now enhanced with the arrival of Koole Lift 400, a self-propelled floating sheerlegs capable of a maximum lift of 400 tons on the main hooks at 29.7m from the vessel’s deck.
Like all such vessels it offers flexibility depending on height and reach, for example lifting 100 tons at a reach of 22.7m and 56 tons at 40m from the bow with lifts of 250 tons possible at a greater height of 48.8m.
Schottel thrusters provide maximum speed 5.5kn and the vessel has a bow thruster and accommodation for 13 persons. Koole says it is available for operations such as but not limited to all kinds of heavy lift activities including salvage assistance, wreck removal and/or cargo transport.
Koole history
Koole Lift 400 has had an interesting and varied career since its construction by Kieler Howaldtswerke AG in 1967.
Launched as Magnus IV for Grand Port Maritime Bordeaux under the French flag, it was renamed Bison, Taklift 2 and Gironde for various owners between 1971 and 1987.
It transferred to UK ownership in 2007 bearing the vessel name GPS Apollo for GPS Marine Contractors, its next significant move being in 2013, when Norway-based Eide Marine Services became the new custodian, the vessel operating as Eide Lift 7.
Further ownership changes with Norwegian connections followed in 2018, with a new name of Tronds Lift 7, its final stop before the move to Koole Contractors.
Koole’s steady expansion can be traced back to 2016, when it acquired the salvage assets of Mammoet Salvage, part of Mammoet Holding, whose core business was heavy lifting and transport. While there were similarities with the salvage industry Mammoet identified that each sector required a specific focus, salvage not 100% related to its core business.
Koole owns and operates a diverse mix of tugs and barges (including crawler crane combinations), and its fleet also includes Koole 74 a 73m, 1,404dwt general cargo vessel described as “the preferred way of transporting equipment, various waste and scrap materials and other cargo efficiently to any work site”.
