In the world of offshore lifting and load handling, few companies can claim the same pedigree and innovative spirit as Cranemaster. After over 40 years of breakthroughs, we’re taking a journey through the milestones that have shaped who we are today. Welcome to Lifted from the Past, a series dedicated to exploring Cranemaster’s rich history of pushing boundaries and setting new standards to safeguard our industry.
This week, we step back to 1983—a pivotal moment for Cranemaster and offshore lifting overall. In this photo, lifted from the archives, our founder, Ernst B. Johansen, stands proudly next to Cranemaster’s very first shock absorber unit. This groundbreaking innovation wasn’t just a technical achievement; it represented a bold vision for the future of offshore lifting.
At the time, the offshore industry faced a critical challenge: ensuring safe and reliable lifting operations in unpredictable ocean conditions. Ernst’s ingenuity and determination led to the development of a heave compensation shock absorber—a solution that mitigated dynamic forces and improved operational safety. His pioneering spirit set the foundation for a company dedicated to combining cutting-edge technology with real-world expertise.
The heave compensator shock absorber was a solution to a critical problem: ensuring safe and reliable lifting operations in unpredictable ocean and challenging conditions. Ernst’s ingenuity and determination to tackle such challenges set the tone for the company’s mission to combine cutting-edge technology with practical expertise. His pioneering spirit remains at the core of everything we do, four decades later.
Since those early days, Cranemaster has grown into a global leader in offshore and subsea lifting solutions, partnering with clients to meet the toughest challenges in the most demanding environments. From deepwater subsea operations to complex offshore wind installations, our commitment to innovation, safety, reliability, and excellence has never wavered.
But this isn’t just our story—it’s a celebration of the incredible collaborations that have driven the offshore industry forward. Our customers and industry partners have always been at the heart of our journey. Together, we have faced challenges head-on, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to create safer, smarter solutions for offshore lifting. Every milestone we’ve achieved has been a testament to the power of collaboration, shared expertise, and a relentless focus on safety and innovation.
The first unit for installation on an offshore crane was delivered, after successful testing, to the Statfjord B SBM in 1985.
This is just the beginning of our Lifted from the Past series, where we’ll continue to highlight key moments from Cranemaster’s history. Stay tuned as we uncover the stories behind our most significant milestones and celebrate the legacy of innovation that has brought us to where we are today.
Here’s to looking back, celebrating the present, and shaping the future together!