World’s Largest Forged Shackle with 3,750t Working Load Limit Manufactured by GN Rope Fittings

Nov 28, 2025 - 14:42

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World’s Largest Forged Shackle with 3,750t Working Load Limit Manufactured by GN Rope Fittings

GN Rope Fittings, a leading manufacturer of ROV, mooring, heavy lifting and rigging connections to the global oil and gas and offshore wind industries, has once again broken its own record by manufacturing the world’s largest forged shackle.

The new forged shackle, with a working load limit of 3,750t, surpasses the company’s previous record of 3,000t set in 2023. This marks the fourth time GN Rope Fittings has broken its own record, cementing its position as the global leader in high-capacity forged lifting equipment.

GN Rope Fittings first achieved world-record status in 2009 with a 1,750t shackle, followed by a 2,000t version. In 2016, it raised the bar again with a 2,500t model.

The latest record-breaking product, forged in the Netherlands, has been designed for inline pulls of 3,750t and can handle out-of-plane loads of up to 3,500t at 10°.

It consists of a shackle body and saddle with a customised diameter of 1,050mm, and a pin secured by horseshoes on both sides for easier handling. The size of the saddle is the largest manufactured in the industry, designed and engineered to optimise D/d ratio, ensuring bending efficiencies of synthetic slings.

Photograph courtesy of GN Rope Fittings

In addition, the shackle features a unique flat-shaped bow section at 790mm in width, making it the first of its kind ever manufactured at this scale.

This design provides sufficient space to accommodate synthetic ropes of approximately 265mm, allowing them to lay flat on a straight section of the bow. By creating this wider, flat contact area, the shackle eliminates compression forces that would otherwise occur if the ropes were stacked or bearing against each other.

To ensure the highest level of safety, the shackle has undergone Finite Element Analysis (FEA), been proof load tested to 4,575t, and subjected to full Mechanical and Non-Destructive Testing.

The one-of-a-kind shackle has been purchased by First Subsea for use with an internal lifting tool in the Fengmiao offshore wind project. The product is designed to be a reusable asset, adaptable for future large-scale offshore projects worldwide.

Bart Vossenberg JR, Executive Director of GN Rope Fittings

Bart Vossenberg JR, Executive Director of GN Rope Fittings, said: “Setting a new world record is always special, but doing it for the fourth time is a true testament to the passion and expertise of our team in Nieuwkoop. Every record-breaking shackle we’ve produced has pushed the boundaries of what’s technically possible in forging and design. This custom-built 3,750t shackle demonstrates our continued commitment to engineering excellence, safety, and innovation for our clients in the offshore wind and energy sectors. As global demand grows for larger and more capable equipment, GN Rope Fittings remains ready to deliver bespoke forged solutions that meet the most demanding project specifications.”

Founded in 1923, GN Rope Fittings has evolved from a small tools manufacturer into a global leader in forged products for mooring, heavy lifting, anchor handling and rigging applications.

With 100 employees and 85% of turnover coming from international markets, GN operates from an 18,400m² facility in Nieuwkoop, featuring one of Europe’s most advanced forging and testing operations, including presses up to 10,000t and test benches up to 6,000t.

The GN Group also includes De Haan Special Equipment and STB Stahlhammer Bommern in Germany.