Huisman has won a contract with Fred. Olsen Windcarrier for delivery of another 1600-mt leg encircling crane to be installed on jack-up offshore wind turbine installation vessel Brave Tern. The order follows the previous one for a similar crane in March 2020, as part of Fred. Olsen’s fleet upgrade programme.
The 1600-mt leg encircling crane (LEC) will be outfitted with a unique 140-metre boom and has a lifting height of 165 metres above deck. The first such crane was installed on Fred. Olsen’s Bold Tern. With their upgraded cranes, the vessels of the company will be capable of installing larger foundations and handling next generation turbines.
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‘Ordering our second crane from Huisman is a demonstration of our commitment to the offshore wind industry and another key milestone in our announced upgrade programme for all three existing vessels,’ says Alexandra Koefoed, CEO of Fred. Olsen Windcarrier. ‘We are looking forward to continuing to build on our good relationship with Huisman.’
Lightweight and energy efficient
Huisman has designed its LECs to meet the requirements of the continually developing offshore renewables sector. The cranes are lightweight, have high positioning accuracy and are highly energy efficient, contributing to a reduced emissions footprint during the installation of increasingly large turbines.
The crane features a small tail swing, offering optimal deck space. The theme of efficiency is continued in the design of the slew bearing. Its construction in multiple segments ensures ease of inspection and maintenance.
David Roodenburg, CEO of Huisman: ‘We are very proud of this second order for a leg encircling crane and will draw on our skills and expertise to contribute to Fred Olsen’s major fleet upgrade programme. This order underlines our mutual commitment to make Fred Olsen’s installation vessels future proof, suitable for installing the next generation of wind turbines. Our team is looking forward to building the second crane and continuing our close cooperation on tailoring the 1600-mt LECs to the requirements of tomorrow’s offshore wind farms.’
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Features of the Huisman leg encircling crane
- A fully electrically driven system, resulting in high positioning accuracy, efficient energy use, reduced maintenance and high reliability.
- In-house developed slew bearing system, providing highly reliable and accurate positioning of the crane.
- A unique boom design ensuring a lightweight and stiff design, limiting motions at the crane tip.
- Small tail swing allowing for optimised utilisation of free deck space.
Also read: Huisman to supply crane for another Eneti wind turbine installation vessel
