Heerema Marine Contractors has contracted Huisman for the delivery of a state-of-the-art Motion Compensated Pile Gripper, specifically designed for crane vessel Thialf. This will be the third Motion Compensated Pile Gripper to be built by Huisman. The technology enables the construction of tomorrow’s offshore wind farms.
The Motion Compensation Pile Gripper will enable Heerema to install monopiles up to 12.5 metres in diameter, with a length of up to 115 metres and a weight of 3200 metric tonnes. The Gripper is designed specifically for Heerema’s semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) Thialf, where it will be positioned on the side of the vessel.
The design and construction of the gripper will be a combined effort carried out at Huisman’s locations in the Czech Republic and in the Netherlands.
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‘Huisman is very honoured to receive this order, for Heerema’s first pile gripper,’ says David Roodenburg, CEO of Huisman. ‘This is a complex project, the execution of which will draw upon the knowledge and experience of both parties. We are looking forward to collaborating with Heerema to deliver this innovative gripper.’
Ramon de Haas, CTO of Heerema Marine Contractors: ‘Heerema is thrilled to begin this innovative journey with Huisman to introduce this next-generation Motion Compensated Pile Gripper to the market. We look forward to advancing our capabilities in offshore wind installation.’
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