Based on the high level of orders received in 2011, PALFINGER WIND has further strengthened its position as market leader in offshore wind cranes.
Thomas Nitsch, Head of PALFINGER WIND Cranes, says, “Our success in winning orders for several major offshore wind farm projects shows that we are on the right track with our complete product range and service offering for nacelles, platforms and transformer stations.”
PALFINGER WIND has established itself as strategic partner of REpower Systems SE and won major orders for the Thornton Bank offshore wind farms off the Belgian coast. Another contract was signed for the delivery of nacelle cranes over the next two years. According to Thomas Nitsch, “PALFINGER WIND is increasingly establishing itself as a systems supplier for any type of crane for the offshore wind sector, including service agreements.”
Dong Energy, one of Scandinavia’s biggest energy companies, also relies on PALFINGER WIND and has ordered 111 cranes. Delivery for Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm near Anholt started in January 2012. Furthermore, a framework agreement for the supply of more than 300 nacelle and platform cranes has been signed with Areva Wind GmbH. At present, the cranes supplied are being used mainly for Borkum West II off the North German coast. PALFINGER WIND is also supplying Vestas Wind Systems A/S with several hundred winches this year which will be used for onshore installations.
The cranes supplied by PALFINGER WIND will enable safe, fast unloading of supply ships in addition to flexible material handling on the platform and in the nacelle.
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, February 21, 2012; Image: PALFINGER WIND