Huisman has landed a contract from Penta-Ocean Construction Co. Ltd. to deliver a 5000-mt Tub Mounted Crane along with a monopile handling system, including a Motion Compensated Pile Gripper. Ulstein had already been contracted to provide the vessel design.
Developed collaboratively with Penta-Ocean Construction and vessel designer Ulstein, the innovative equipment concept seamlessly integrates the crane and handling tools into Penta-Ocean Construction’s new heavy-lift vessel. Designed for the Japanese offshore wind market, this vessel will be the world’s first fully integrated heavy lift vessel, offering one of the highest lifting capacities globally.
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Heavy-lift vessel design with U-Stern
Penta-Ocean contracted Ulstein Design and Solutions BV to design the new heavy-lift vessel for offshore wind foundation installation. The customised Ulstein HX118 design is capable of installing the increasingly larger monopile foundations.

The order to Ulstein followed feasibility and concept studies in 2023. Ulstein proposed the HX118 with the U-Stern. The selected design offers a combination of a flush work deck, lifting capacity, accommodation and DP capability and will be the largest X-Bow vessel to date.
The U-Stern (watch a video below), developed by Ulstein, features longitudinal storage and upending of monopiles along the ship’s centreline. This innovation enables the installation of longer monopiles without overhanging the ship’s sides and allows the vessel to face into the waves during the installation, minimising ship motions and fuel consumption.
Since last summer, Ulstein has been collaborating with Penta-Ocean Construction on the Basic Design of the heavy lift vessel, including an extensive model test programme. The design is being developed at Ulstein’s Rotterdam office, with significant support from Ulstein Poland during the Basic Design phase. The vessel will be built at the Seatrium shipyard in Singapore.
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5000-mt Tub Mounted Crane and Pile Gripper
Huisman‘s 5000-mt active heave-compensated Tub Mounted Crane features a dual main hoist and Universal Quick Connector, enabling efficient, safe tool changes to reduce cycle time and safety risks. Key advantages of the low weight Tub Mounted Crane include a compact tail swing for deck space optimisation, no counterweight, full revolving capacity, and an in-house produced slew bearing.
The Motion Compensated Pile Gripper is specifically designed for the installation of large-diameter, variable-length monopiles over the vessel’s U-shaped stern. With the monopiles being stored lengthwise on the vessel, the integrated upending system enables direct handling from storage to installation. These features minimise lifting operations, while the aft installation method enhances shielding, improving the vessel’s workability and operational efficiency.
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Safe installation from floating vessels
With this contract, Huisman strengthens its position as market leader in heavy-lift cranes and Motion Compensated Pile Grippers, marking the fourth contract for such motion compensation system, enabling safe monopile installation from floating vessels.
‘We are proud to finalise the contract with Huisman for the development of a 5000-mt fully revolving crane and a monopile handling system to be installed on the advanced heavy lift vessel,’ says Tetsunori Ohshimo, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Head of the Offshore Wind Construction Business Divisions Group of Penta-Ocean Construction. ‘The vessel, equipped with an innovative crane system, is essential for installing the increasingly heavy monopile foundations required for larger wind turbines.’
Also read: Huisman bags fourth Knuckle Boom Crane order of 2024
Entry to the Japanese market
The partnership with Penta-Ocean represents Huisman’s entry to the Japanese market. Previous deliveries include an 800-mt Pedestal Mounted Crane for the CP-8001 SEP and a 1600-mt Leg Encircling Crane for the CP-16001.
Timon Ligterink, Commercial Director APAC of Huisman: ‘Working together, we have created fully integrated equipment for this groundbreaking, next-generation heavy lift vessel. This partnership exemplifies what can be achieved through shared vision and innovation, and we are committed to advancing the future of heavy lift and installation technology in Japan.’
Picture (top) by Huisman.