GN Rope Fittings, a manufacturer of ROV, mooring, heavy lifting, and rigging connections to the oil and gas and offshore wind industries, has again broken its own record by manufacturing the world’s largest forged shackle.
The new forged shackle, with a working load limit of 3,750 tons, surpasses the company’s previous record of 3,000 tons set in 2023. This marks the fourth time GN Rope Fittings has broken its own record, cementing its position as the global leader in high-capacity forged lifting equipment.
GN Rope Fittings first achieved world-record status in 2009 with a 1,750-ton shackle, followed by a 2,000-ton version. In 2016, it raised the bar again with a 2,500-ton model. The latest record-breaking product, forged in the Netherlands, has been designed for inline pulls of 3,750 tons and can handle out-of-plane loads of up to 3,500 tons at 10 degrees.
It consists of a shackle body and saddle with a customized diameter of 1,050 mm, and a pin secured by horseshoes on both sides for easier handling. The size of the saddle is the largest manufactured in the industry, designed and engineered to optimize D/d ratio, ensuring bending efficiencies of synthetic slings. In addition, the shackle features a unique flat-shaped bow section at 790 mm in width, making it the first of its kind ever manufactured at this scale.
This design provides sufficient space to accommodate synthetic ropes of approximately 265 mm, allowing them to lay flat on a straight section of the bow.
By creating this wider, flat contact area, the shackle eliminates compression forces that would otherwise occur if the ropes were stacked or bearing against each other.
To ensure the highest level of safety, the shackle has undergone Finite Element Analysis (FEA), been proof load tested to 4,575 tons, and subjected to full Mechanical and Non-Destructive Testing.
The one-of-a-kind shackle has been purchased by First Subsea for use with an internal lifting tool in the Fengmiao offshore wind project. The product is designed to be a reusable asset, adaptable for future large-scale offshore projects worldwide.
“Setting a new world record is always special, but doing it for the fourth time is a true testament to the passion and expertise of our team in Nieuwkoop,” said Bart Vossenberg Jr., GN Rope Fittings executive director.
“Every record-breaking shackle we’ve produced has pushed the boundaries of what’s technically possible in forging and design. This custom-built 3,750-ton shackle demonstrates our continued commitment to engineering excellence, safety, and innovation for our clients in the offshore wind and energy sectors.”
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