Giant Offshore Crane (LEC) for WTIV

Huisman, a Dutch offshore crane maker confirmed that has been contracted to deliver (again) what it says will be the largest leg encircling crane for a newbuild Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV).

Wait. What is a Leg Encircling Crane (LEC)? The LEC is designed to function by operating around the leg of the platform/deck, instead of working from a free-standing pedestal. Hence, offering more free space on the deck and allowing the crane to rotate 360°.

“This crane will be the largest Leg Encircling Crane that Huisman has developed to date in terms of lifting capacity, boom length, installed power, and technical features…Its lightweight, yet robust design, high level of reliability and limited tail swing makes the LEC highly suitable for the construction of offshore wind farms. Thanks to its fully electrically driven system, the crane has a low energy consumption and thus contributes to the reduced CO2 footprint of Van Oord’s new offshore installation vessel,”

Huisman

With a giant jack-up unit, able to operate on methanol, from Yantai CIMC Raffles Shipyard in China, the subject vessel is expected to initiate operation in 2024.

The subject 175-meter long WTIV will be able to transport and install foundations as well as turbines at offshore wind farms. Equipped with a Huisman crane with the capability of lifting more than 3,000 tonnes.

“This investment prepares us for the increase in scale in the offshore wind industry and allows us to maintain our leadership position. The crane to be delivered by Huisman will support us to achieve that target.”

Pieter van Oord, CEO of Van Oord

Huisman plans to establish the design, engineering and construction of the crane at its production facility in Zhangzhou, China. Then, in cooperation with the vessel’s designer Knud E Hansen at Yantai CIMC Raffles Shipyard in China, the crane will be delivered and integrated in 2023.

The crane specs, as per Huisman:

• A fully electrically driven system, resulting in high positioning accuracy, reduced maintenance and high reliability.
• Its energy grid reduces the energy consumption of the crane significantly.
• In-house developed slew bearing system, providing highly reliable and accurate positioning of the crane.
• The boom’s unique design makes it stiff and lighter in weight.
• Stiff construction of the boom leading to reduced motion at the crane tip.
• Small tail swing allowing for optimized utilization of free deck space.

Photo: Huisman