Containers etc.
1973-85

From lashings to containers

From lashing of cargo, the idea grew to expand into ISO Standard 20 and 40 feet containers, which was a growing market. Thus, in 1973, Container Safe (now “Consafe”) started to sell and lease used containers to building contractors in need of onsite storage. Soon the concept was improved and modified to include the production and marketing of customized containers for purposes such as offices, accommodation and workshops – all based on the ISO Standard size containers. This was then put together to a system, and the so called “Modul 80” concept was born.

The strong demand for the company’s containers resulted in the company becoming the largest Swedish container leasing company already in 1973. The modules were initially produced by various subcontractors in Sweden. However, already in 1974, container manufacturing was also established in Bombay, India, in a joint venture with the Nathani Group.

From containers into shipping

The success with lashings and containers provided the company with sufficient funds to enter the shipping market. Thus, in 1976, Consafe ordered its first cargo vessel, the Safe Transporter, from Niigata Shipyard in Japan. It was soon followed by a sister vessel, however, both vessels were sold within a year’s time.

The container business goes offshore

Meanwhile, the first oil was discovered in the North Sea and, as a result, the demand for offshore accommodation started to grow. The company’s container business therefore evolved to include the design and production of accommodation modules for the offshore industry. Over the years (1975-2000), the company supplied more than 20 000 beds to various offshore fields around the globe.

Conversion of drilling rigs into floatels

From time to time, when building a fixed oil or gas installation offshore, there was a need for additional service personnel. At that time, the only way to transport workers back and forth to the oil platforms was by way of helicopter or ship. This was, and still is, both hazardous and expensive.

By placing accommodation modules on a drilling rig and positioning it right next to the fixed platform in need of service, it was made possible for workers to access the drilling platform in a safer way by walking over a gangway connecting the rig and the platform.

The company initially delivered accommodation modules used primarily to house workers onboard drilling rigs, but the newly formed Consafe Engineering AB took on several complete jobs of converting drilling rigs to accommodation and service rigs (so called “floatels”).

Selected case studies