F36 Forged Parts for Demanding Offshore Applications

A shipment of 150-mm-thick F36 shipbuilding steel sheets to Southeast Asia gradually evolved into a comprehensive supply solution: Today, UnionStahl not only supplies the raw material but also fabricates the required cut parts from it and arranges for their international delivery by air freight.

The project demonstrates how a traditional material supply can be transformed into a comprehensive, one-stop solution through the addition of manufacturing and logistics services.

F36 in a thick gauge for a demanding offshore application

UnionStahl’s forged components are used in what is known as an “SSY system—connecting link cradle” (Submerged Swivel and Yoke). Such mooring systems are used in floating offshore installations. They connect the installation to a structure anchored to the seabed.

In doing so, the systems absorb the forces exerted on the structure by wind, waves, and currents. They transfer these forces in a controlled manner to the mooring system.

The fabricated components produced by UnionStahl form part of the Connecting Link Cradle. As such, they are an integral part of a sophisticated offshore structure.

One specific requirement of the project is the need for a 150-mm-thick F36 plate. F36 is one of the higher-strength shipbuilding steels. The material is used, among other things, in the demanding shipbuilding and offshore sectors.

For material thicknesses exceeding 100 mm, the appropriate material grade and the required material properties are particularly important. UnionStahl can supply F36 shipbuilding steel even in large thicknesses for demanding applications.

From F36 raw material to the fired part

Following the initial delivery of the F36 panels, the collaboration was expanded to include flame-cutting. The required components are manufactured directly from the F36 raw material and provided as flame-cut parts for further use.

For the customer, this means fewer points of contact with different suppliers and a reduction in procurement efforts. Instead of purchasing raw materials separately and then organizing the cutting process themselves, the customer receives the necessary components cut to size according to their specifications.

Especially when it comes to specialty materials and thick materials, the combination of material availability and flame cutting technology offers a practical advantage. The required raw material and the resulting cut piece can be coordinated within a single supply chain. This makes it easier to coordinate procurement, production, and schedules.

International Delivery to the Final Destination

The partnership has since been expanded to include an additional step: The fired components are not only manufactured but also shipped by air freight to their final international destination.

UnionStahl thus handles several steps within the supply chain—from the supply of F36 shipbuilding steel to flame cutting and international logistics.

For the customer, this means a streamlined procurement process with fewer points of contact; materials, cutting, and transportation can be coordinated and aligned through a single point of contact. This provides additional planning certainty, especially for international projects involving specialized materials and time-sensitive deliveries.

Conclusion: F36—burned parts and logistics from a single source

The project illustrates the step-by-step development of a collaborative effort: from the delivery of special F36 sheet metal to the production of laser-cut parts and on to international delivery.

The combination of F36 shipbuilding steel in large material thicknesses, flame-cutting technology, and international logistics offers added value for customers with specialized requirements in the offshore and marine sectors.

UnionStahl thus combines materials expertise and manufacturing capabilities with a flexible logistics solution.