Offshore, FPSO and Port Crane Cabins: What the Marine Environment Demands
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A cabin on a ship-to-shore crane, a mobile harbour crane or an offshore platform works in salt spray, wind and changing weather, often around the clock. A cabin that lasts for decades in a dry hall would not last long at sea without heavier protection. This guide covers what changes for marine and offshore crane cabins and what to specify.
Corrosion protection
Salt air is the main enemy. Specify the coating system for ISO 12944 category C5 at coastal and port sites and CX offshore, together with the durability class you need: in ISO 12944, high means 15 to 25 years and very high more than 25.
Stainless or hot-dip galvanised fasteners, hinges and handrails, sealed cable entries and drain points wherever water can collect all add years to the cabin.
Glazing and view in bad weather
Use laminated safety glass with wipers and washers on every window the operator looks through, and heated glass or strong air flow inside to stop fogging and icing. Ship-to-shore and grab cranes need large floor windows to see into the hold, protected by grilles.
Climate, pressurisation and air
Marine climate units must cope with humidity and salt; corrosion-resistant coils and housings last longer. A slight overpressure with filtered air keeps salt and dust away from the operator and from the electrical equipment in the cabin.
Wind, motion and ergonomics
On floating units such as FPSOs and crane vessels the cabin moves with the hull, and on large port cranes it sits high in the wind. A firmly fixed seat, controls in the armrests and handholds at the door matter more than on land, and the cabin and its mounting must carry the wind and motion loads that the crane designer specifies.
Offshore cranes are commonly designed to EN 13852-1 or API Spec 2C; the cabin is part of that crane design and follows its requirements.
Hazardous areas
On FPSOs and production platforms the crane often works in a classified hazardous area. Every electrical device in and on the cabin must then be certified for that zone (ATEX or IECEx), or the cabin must be pressurised and purged as an explosion-protected enclosure. Give the zone classification and gas group at enquiry: they decide which equipment can be used.
Access and escape
- A safe walkway and platform at the door, with non-slip surfaces.
- A second escape route where the crane layout can make the main access unusable in an emergency.
- Lighting for access at night and in bad weather.
KRANHAUSS marine cabins
Our OperCab Marine 1, 2 and 3 cabins are designed for shipyard, port and offshore cranes. Like all our cabins they are built to order, so the glazing, climate unit, coating system and dimensions follow your crane and your site.
Frequently asked questions
Which corrosion category applies to an offshore crane cabin?
ISO 12944 defines CX for offshore areas with high salinity; coastal and port sites are usually C5. Choose the coating system for that category and for the durability you need.
What is special about FPSO crane cabins?
The cabin moves with the hull, the crane may work in a hazardous area, and maintenance windows are rare. Motion, explosion protection and long-life corrosion protection drive the design.
How are marine cabin windows kept clear?
Wipers and washers on the operating windows, plus heated glass or strong air flow inside to prevent fogging and icing.
Do marine crane cabins need air conditioning?
In practice yes: port and offshore cranes run long shifts in sun, humidity and salt air. A marine-grade unit with filtered air and a slight overpressure protects both the operator and the equipment.
Marine cabin enquiry
See our marine cabin models, or send us your crane type, site and hazardous-area classification for a cabin built to order.