Optilift specializes in developing vision- and automated crane software – using artificial intelligence to enhance crane operations – Alpa supplies material handing solutions and upgrades including crane control system with remote access and condition monitoring.

The newly formed partnership now enables both Optilift and Alpa to utilise complementing technology to offer stronger crane products and service to the market.

The newly formed partnership now enables both Optilift and Alpa to utilise complementing technology “This partnership allows us to offer automated and autonomous crane solutions to existing offshore cranes”, says Camilla Nylund, Optilift Managing Director.

“What Optilift has never focused on is the crane operating system and PLC systems itself. Together with Alpa we are now able to deliver control system and service upgrades of existing cranes, which is a prerequisite for our AI-technology products to function. In other words, this partnership now brings us new market possibilities.”

CEO Leif Løken at Alpa labels the new partnership exciting:

“With the Optilift partnership we are now able to deliver a wider service to both new and existing customers, as we can offer modern AI-products to enhance and strengthen our customers’ operational capabilities. It is an exciting partnership, and we really look forward to seeing what opportunities lie ahead for us”, Løken says.

Pilot project first step

The first step of the partnership is to conduct a pilot test where the joint technology forces of the two companies could be set into action and tested for the first time. To perform such a test, a crane owner needs to be located.

Our goal with the pilot project is to create a first reference of our partnership and present the effects of our integrated crane systems

Any crane from any industry could potentially fit as partner for the project.

Existing offshore cranes, or cranes from the modern marine, harbour, fishing or aquaculture industry should be able to fit the project we now look to complete, she says.

Increased safety and efficiency

For crane owners, upgrading existing products to bring them up to modern standards has significantly lower costs compared to acquiring an all new one.

“A new crane brings its own value. But being able to extend the operational life cycle of an existing crane also bring significant value for a crane owner. Upgrading is more cost efficient, increases safety, environmentally friendly – and now – there is the capability of turning old cranes intelligent through the Optilift product range”, Leif Løken adds.

“A new crane control and PLC system increases both efficiency and safety significantly. Our different vision software applications also reduce or eliminate the chance of human error, which is the biggest reason for crane accidents”, Nylund states.

Added value to several markets

The complementary partnership between Alpa and Optilift could also potentially affect and benefit several different industries and markets where crane operations are key – and not just the traditional oil and gas business.

Crane operations sit at the core of several different key operations in different businesses and societal areas today. Harbours, marine aquaculture, fishery and constructing businesses all involve crane operations as a key component of their activities.

“As such, our partnership with Alpa could potentially benefit all these areas, as our products is easily adopted to fit different use cases in different industries”, Nylund says.

Alpa is part of the Axess Group and the unique product and lifting competence is a result of more than 20 years of experience, ranging from service and maintenance of most offshore and maritime crane brands to delivery of a wide range of special handling solutions. The Alpa engineers are experts within developing methods and design material handling solutions to optimize challenging lifting operations.

Optilift AS – established in 2010 – is a technology development company focusing on innovative solutions for offshore cranes, lifting and logistics. Optilift offers a range of products, technologies and solutions to improve safety, efficiency and logistics control related to offshore lifting and cargo handling.