Rope and Sling Specialists has been recently presented with a DNV GL Type Approval Certificate for wire rope offshore lifting sets

Rope and Sling Specialists (RSS) has cemented its status as one of the leading suppliers of lifting equipment to the offshore industry having been recently presented with a DNV GL Type Approval Certificate for wire rope offshore lifting sets.

The certificate, valid for four years from 25 November 2016, covers wire rope slings assembled by RSS according to DNV 2.7-1 Offshore Containers and acknowledges that it also complies with EN 12079-2 Offshore containers and associated lifting sets – Part 2: Lifting sets Design, manufacture and marking; EN 13414-1 Wire rope slings; and IMO/MSC Circular 860.

RSS serves the offshore market from two of its five UK facilities, in Grangemouth, Scotland; and Pyle, Wales-based headquarters, but only at the latter can it manufacture to DNV 2.7-1, utilising its 1,000-tonne Sahm Splice hydraulic press that enables the company to manufacture slings to 55-tonne working load limit (WLL).

The hydraulic press was purchased primarily with the oil and gas sector in mind and joined an older unit, made by Talurit, which is used to manufacture 35-tonne WLL slings. The Talurit unit can work with 52-mm diameter wire rope but the new machine can handle rope up to 64 mm.

DNV, a global provider of knowledge for managing risk, ensures that providers of lifting sets are audited at regular intervals to give end users assurances that sourced and manufactured equipment from suppliers complies with relevant standards and guidance. The certificate lists the world-class component manufacturers that RSS sources from to complete its comprehensive offshore below-the-hook portfolio.

Steve Hutin, managing director at RSS, says, “Receiving the type approval certificate was a landmark moment in our company’s history and we are excited about leveraging our elevated status in the industry as the offshore oil and gas market shows signs of global recovery.”

Notably, RSS took delivery of the new press a year ago as the lifting and rigging equipment specialist continued to serve the offshore sector, as well as more buoyant markets, during the recent downturn. Testament to that were significant orders from oil and gas projects in Portugal, Cyprus, Nigeria, Egypt and Singapore placed in 2016.

Hutin adds, “We’ve taken a consultative approach to the offshore oil and gas market, working closely with customers as the sector slowed down. At the same time, we used the calmness of the industry to introduce the Sahm Splice to our manufacturing setup and ensure we were DNV GL Type Approval Certified before it bounces back next year and beyond.”

Tags: DNV GL, Rope and Sling Specialists (RSS)