Thialf Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

An unfortunate incident occurred on March 3, 2026, involving a crew member aboard the crane vessel 'Thialf' in Rotterdam. Following an industrial mishap, a trauma helicopter swiftly landed on the ship to provide urgent medical attention. The injured crew member was subsequently lifted to safety using the ship’s crane and was transported to a nearby hospital via ambulance. At this time, there have been no updates regarding his condition. This incident follows a previous accident on February 1, when emergency services were also called to assist aboard the Thialf. For a detailed report and photos of the incident, visit: https://www.rodi.nl/rozenburg/nieuws/111047/bedrijfsongeval-aan-boord-van-thialf?pubble_source=fb.

Heerema Marine Contractors (HMC) and AF Offshore Decom, collectively known as HAF Decom, have successfully finalized the removal of the CNR-operated Murchison platform from the UK North Sea. This significant operation included the comprehensive engineering, preparation, removal, and disposal (EPRD) of the platform, which featured a massive 24,000-ton topside and a 14,000-ton jacket. The project saw a key milestone on June 19, 2017, when the 'Thialf' vessel effectively offloaded the lower section of the Murchison Jacket at AFOD’s Environmental Base in Vats, indicating the successful conclusion of the offshore removal segment. HMC utilized its heavy lift vessels, 'Hermod' and 'Thialf', to execute a complete reverse installation of the topsides modules. Achieving remarkable efficiency, the topsides scope was completed in just 80 days, involving 26 heavy lifts and five vessel transits from the field to Vats. This expedited method allowed the decommissioning phase of the Murchison project to be finished a remarkable two years ahead of the initially planned timeline. The Murchison platform, an iconic structure in the North Sea, stood at an impressive height of 254 meters from the seabed to the apex of its flare stack. Over its 36-year operational lifespan, it faced the North Sea's severe conditions, enduring waves reaching heights of 28 meters and wind speeds surpassing 50 m/s (110 mph). At its peak in 1982, the Murchison produced an impressive 150,383 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), contributing to an overall production of approximately 400 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe), representing about 50% of the oil in place.

The colossal crane vessel THIALF, recognized as one of the largest in the world, made its grand arrival at Lerwick Harbour on July 1, 2013. Having just completed tasks on the Clair Ridge project, situated 75 kilometers west of Shetland, THIALF played a critical role in the installation of 'jackets'—the substantial legs essential for the offshore oil platform—on behalf of BP. Each jacket boasts an impressive weight of approximately 22,000 tonnes, necessitating the vessel's extraordinary capabilities for their installation. According to Matt Taylor, a spokesperson for BP, THIALF is currently docked in Lerwick for a brief period to facilitate a crew change and attend to minor repairs before returning to the oil field to continue its work on the second jacket installation. The crane vessel is expected to remain in Lerwick for the next week.