Active Heave Compensation for Offshore Cranes
Add AHC to your existing crane or winch and keep loads stationary in sea states that would otherwise stop operations.
Active heave compensation (AHC) is a control system that measures vessel heave via an integrated motion reference unit (MRU) and adjusts crane wire payout to keep the suspended load stationary relative to the seabed. mTrack,Scantrol's AHC controller, installs alongside the existing control system on any crane brand from 1 to 150+ tonnes, without replacing mechanical hardware.
For crane operators and subsea installation teams, this means precise load placement and safe handling in conditions that would otherwise require weather standby. mTrack commissions at dockside or at the crane factory using Dynatest, so performance is verified before the vessel sails, without a specialist on-site.
mTrack AHC Controller
The off-the-shelf AHC controller that brings active heave compensation to all cranes
Off-the-shelf AHC controller with integrated MRU - no separate sensor required
Pre-defined for cranes- no custom programming needed
Auto Calibration and Dynatest included - commission at dockside, no sea trials
Includes all the tools you need for easy installation - no need for expensive experts
Why Offshore Crane Operations Need AHC
Offshore cranes operate in dynamic conditions where vessel heave, the vertical motion caused by waves, is transferred directly into the load. The consequences range from reduced precision and increased mechanical stress to complete shutdown when sea states exceed safe operating limits.
AHC removes this constraint. By actively compensating for vessel motion at the winch level, mTrack keeps crane loads stable during subsea placement, equipment handling, and tool deployment, extending the operational weather window and reducing wear on crane wire, sheaves, and structural components.
Scantrol AHC can be used to Improve Safety and Efficiency in a range of Crane Applications
Subsea Cranes
mTrack is installed on subsea cranes ranging from 1 to over 150 tonnes. The system handles the full load range without hardware changes, only configuration adjusts for crane size and drive type.
Renewable Service Vessels
mTrack is used on small and medium-sized service cranes aboard offshore wind service vessels (SOVs and CSOVs), where reliable, low-maintenance AHC is required for tool deployment and equipment handling in variable North Sea and Atlantic conditions.
Offshore Wind Service Cranes
The offshore wind sector requires AHC-capable cranes that can be commissioned quickly and operated without specialist support on-site. In collaboration with OEM partners, Scantrol delivers mTrack-based AHC for wind installation and service applications.
For Crane Manufacturers and System Integrators
mTrack is available for crane and winch manufacturers who want to offer AHC as a standard or optional feature without carrying the engineering overhead of developing a proprietary system.
Pre-configured Profinet and Modbus PLC modules
Integrated MRU
AHC Toolbox for factory testing and dockside commissioning
Free OTA remote support during the warranty period and training for your engineering and installation teams
Dynatest for verification without sea trials
Adding AHC to your crane product line does not require months of R&D. mTrack gives your team a configurable, proven controller that can be standardised across your product range.
Many offshore cranes already in service can be upgraded to AHC without replacing mechanical components. A crane winch with a maximum line speed of 50–80 m/min will typically compensate for 3–4 m of vessel motion, which is sufficient for most offshore crane applications.
Retrofitting with mTrack means:
Existing crane mechanics stay in place
Only the control layer is upgraded
No specialist on-site required during installation
Performance verified at dockside with Dynatest before the vessel sails
→ Get Free AHC Capacity Analysis
→ How to retrofit mTrack to existing cranes
Retrofit an Existing Crane with AHC
mTrack AHC Case Studies
What Happens When Vessel Motion Is No Longer the Limiting Factor
Explore case studies from operators using mTrack AHC in rough sea states, deep water and time-critical operations. Each one shows the specific application, the integration approach and the outcome reported by the operator.
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Active heave compensation for offshore cranes is a system that measures vessel heave via a motion reference unit and adjusts crane wire payout in real time to keep the suspended load stationary relative to the seabed. mTrack from Scantrol delivers this capability as an off-the-shelf controller compatible with any crane brand from 1 to 150+ tonnes.
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Yes. mTrack installs alongside the existing control system on most offshore cranes without replacing mechanical components. It uses standard Profinet or Modbus integration and requires no custom PLC programming. The AHC Analyzer confirms whether the existing crane winch meets the line-speed requirements for AHC.
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No. mTrack is available as an OEM module for crane and winch manufacturers. It includes pre-configured PLC modules, integrated MRU, and the full AHC Toolbox, so manufacturers can offer AHC as a product feature without developing proprietary control software.
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No. mTrack includes Dynatest, which simulates vessel motion at the crane factory or dockside to verify AHC performance before offshore deployment. This eliminates the cost and delay of traditional sea trials.
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mTrack is installed on offshore cranes from 1 ton to 150+ tonnes, covering small service cranes on wind SOVs through to larger subsea cranes. This makes AHC viable on crane sizes where bundled solutions from larger suppliers are typically not cost-effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions or would you like to discuss your project?
If you have any questions about AHC, your application, or next steps, you are welcome to reach out directly.
Suzy Zhu
International Sales Manager
Email: suzy@scantrol.com
Phone: +47 465 20 370
Jan Kjærstad
CEO
Email: jan.kjarstad@scantrol.com
Phone: +47 911 59 434
Henry Boddington,
International Sales Manager
Email: henry@scantrol.com
Phone: +47 901 57 044
We are happy to review your setup, answer technical questions, or schedule a meeting