Huisman has added a Submarine Handling Crane to its Schiedam facility in the Netherlands. The crane builder hopes it will entice the three non-Dutch manufacturers bidding on the contract to build the new Dutch submarines to make use of what may become a submarine facility.
Huisman says that by readying its facility for building submarines, it offers the manufacturers an option to increase Dutch content, reduce costs and investments in specialised facilities, and minimise construction risks.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence is planning to replace the current Walrus-class, which is nearing its end of life. French Naval Group (together with Dutch shipyard Royal IHC), Swedish Saab (together with Dutch shipbuilder Damen) and German Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems are vying for the contract. It is likely the Dutch Government will want a significant part of the work to be carried out in the Netherlands to maintain both jobs and knowledge.
What Huisman has going for it in addition to the new crane, is its extensive knowledge of and experience with complex high strength steel constructions with a high material thickness, in combination with accurate tolerances for constructions up to thirty metres of diameter. The company has engineered and built the world’s largest offshore cranes (2 x 10.000 metric tonnes) and has developed complex mechatronic solutions such as heave compensation systems and motion compensated grippers.
According to Huisman, the technology used for these solutions is equal to submarine production technology and meets the requirements for hull assembly and joining assemblies.
Safe and easy handling of submarines
With this portfolio-extension, Huisman aims to carry out detailed engineering and production of parts of the pressure hull as well as assembly of elements and parts of submarines, including marine engineering systems. Furthermore, Huisman is able to facilitate the overall assembly and testing of the submarines. All of this under the guidance of experienced submarine manufacturing partners.
The recently developed Huisman Submarine Handling Crane offers a method for safe and easy handling of complete submarines, from the assembly hall into the harbour and vice versa. With this crane, the Huisman submarine facility is fit for purpose, and seeks to provide benefits and minimal investment risks to the remaining three partners for the replacement of the Dutch Walrus-class submarines.
Dutch content
The location of the submarine facility in the heart of the Rotterdam area facilitates cooperation with the Dutch maritime cluster, contributing significantly to the future Dutch content for the submarine replacement. Furthermore, existing knowledge will be secured and production technology in the maritime and submarine field will be kept up-to-date. This enhances the international competitive position of the region.
The Rotterdam area has built up expertise and equipment support for the current Walrus submarines and subsequent other complex maritime projects. The Dutch maritime cluster offers a central location where all Dutch expertise and knowledge can be integrated in close cooperation with the foreign partners for this replacement programme.
The importance of investing in higher local Dutch content is obvious. The government receives a 125 per cent return on investment for every euro spent in the Netherlands, contrary to a full cash out spent abroad, according to Huisman. The company adds: ‘Involving the Dutch maritime cluster early in the programme reduces risks and therefore costs for initial investments. At the same time, it ensures long-term local employment which is of great value to the area, following the economic downturn as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.’
