Pioneers in offshore lifting
We have spent close to four decades with our customers in the harshest environments – supporting complex lifting operations with the highest operability, safety and care.
About Us
Cranemaster – Ernst-B. Johansen AS was established in 1983 in Norway.
The founder Ernst B. Johansen perceived a gap in the market following an increasing number of lifting incidents in the North Sea. With hard work and dedication he made the company a success in its niche.
With almost four decades of experience and industry knowledge, Cranemaster has become a market leader in the field of shock absorption and passive heave compensation for offshore lifting operations and works closely with the world’s leading offshore players.
The heave compensators and shock absorbers compensate forces and motions directly at the load or hook level, securing offshore lifting operations and enabling clients to work in higher waves. We have a large fleet of Cranemaster units for lifts up to 1600 ton ready for rental, located in Norway or at our local representatives.
Our competent engineering team is eager to solve any challenge you have related to dynamics or motions, using our existing technology or through development of tailor made solutions. Orcaflex analysis of lifting operations are carried out by our analysis team.
Meet the Cranemaster Management Team
Espen B. Johansen – CEO
Espen Johansen has 25 years of experience from the offshore oil & gas industry. Ten of these years in Equinor as a process engineer and later as a department technical advisor dealing with both subsea and topside applications. Espen has been involved in Cranemaster since the early 90`s, gathering extensive experience in the field of passive heave compensation. Espen has education in both process/mechanical disciplines and business economics and is currently active on several boards of directors.
Sondre V. Gonsholt – CTO
Sondre Gonsholt has broad experience from the offshore industry, with particular focus on subsea technology. Starting at FMC Technologies, he worked as a field engineer offshore, supporting subsea well operations. He continued his career as technical lead and specialist engineer, developing new technology for vessel based riserless well intervention. Since joining Cranemaster, he has been responsible for several large development projects. Sondre holds a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU).
Kristian Helland – Product Manager
Kristian Helland has broad experience from technology and product development. His career started in SINTEF Applied Chemistry as scientist within analytical chemistry and empirical modelling. After several years in Borealis as researcher and manager in product and process development he continued to solar wafer production as part of the Technology Mangement team in REC Wafer, part of REC Group. Kristian holds a PhD in analytical chemistry and empirical modelling from the Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU).
Mente Baak – Global Sales Manager
Mente Baak has held various management positions within international business development. He started his career in Mitsubishi Europe, before he was employed 15 years by the European headquarters of the bearing company NSK with sales and marketing responsibilities in the Nordic countries. Before starting at Cranemaster, he was head of global sales & marketing at Kumera maritime gearboxes, initiating new market and product development. Mente has a mechanical engineering background and education in management and business development. He is native Dutch, but has been living in Norway since 1999.