Pioneers in offshore lifting
We have spent four decades side by side with our customers in the harshest environments – supporting complex lifting operations with the highest operability, safety and care.
About Us
Established in 1983 in Norway by founder Ernst B. Johansen, Cranemaster AS thrived by addressing a market gap after a surge in lifting incidents in the North Sea. With almost four decades of expertise, the company has emerged as a market leader in shock absorption and passive heave compensation for offshore lifting operations.
Collaborating closely with global offshore leaders, Cranemaster’s heave compensators and shock absorbers, operating at load or hook level, ensure secure operations even in challenging conditions, empowering clients to work efficiently in higher waves, thus extending the “weather window”.
Our extensive fleet of Cranemaster units, capable of handling lifts up to 1600 tons, are available for rental throughout the world, either from our head office in Norway or through our local representatives.
Our proficient engineering team embraces technical challenges, providing tailored made solutions, working in tandem with our analytical team that conducts detailed Orcaflex analyses to guarantee the safety and efficiency of complex offshore lifting operations.
Meet the Cranemaster Management Team
Espen B. Johansen – CEO
Espen Johansen has 25 years of experience from the offshore oil & gas industry. Ten of these years in Equinor as a process engineer and later as a department technical advisor dealing with both subsea and topside applications. Espen has been involved in Cranemaster since the early 90’s, gathering extensive experience in the field of heave compensation. Espen has education in both process/mechanical disciplines and business economics and is currently active on several boards of directors.
Sondre V. Gonsholt – CTO
Sondre Gonsholt has broad experience from the offshore industry, with particular focus on subsea technology. Starting at FMC Technologies, he worked as a field engineer offshore, supporting subsea well operations. He continued his career as technical lead and specialist engineer, developing new technology for vessel based riserless well intervention. Since joining Cranemaster, he has been responsible for several large development projects. Sondre holds a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU).
Christian Lund – Sales Manager
Christian Lund brings over 33 years of extensive management expertise in the global offshore energy sector. With several decades of project management and product development abroad, he held influential roles in comprehensive projects at both FMC Technologies and Oil Spill Response Ltd. Christian’s portfolio boasts notable project management achievements, including the USD 800 million Subsea Well Response Project and key contributions to projects with major industry players like Total, ExxonMobil, Equinor, Chevron, and others.