Taisun

Taisun (Taishan) is the world's strongest crane, having a safe working load of 20,000 metric tons (22,046 short tons). Taisun is designed by DHHI (Dalian Huarui Heavy Industry) and built for the installation of very large modules in semi submersibles and FPSO projects. It is located at Yantai Raffles Shipyard in Yantai, Shandong Province, China. The crane holds the three heaviest lifts of all time respectively: 20,133 metric tons, 17,100 tons and 14,000 tons.

The amount of wire required to operate Taisun is nearly 50,000 meters or just over 31 miles, allowing it to lift a maximum of 80 meters.



Concept
Taisun was built to install very large (up to 20,000 tons) integrated modules on top of a vessel's hull. Traditionally, offshore vessels such as drilling semi submersibles or FPSOs were built from the ground up in modules of 1000 to 2000 tons, which meant that much installation, hook up and commissioning work was left to be done on board where access is limited and efficiency lower.

Taisun facilitates simultaneous construction of the lower and upper parts of the vessel which allows for a shorter overall project schedule, manpower improvements of up to two million man-hours while safety and quality levels are improved.



Guinness World Record
Taisun holds the world record for "heaviest weight lifted by crane", set on April 18, 2008 at 20,133 metric tonnes (44,385,667.25 lb) by lifting a barge, ballasted with water.