Huisman, the specialist in lifting, drilling and subsea solutions, successfully delivered the 600mt Wind Turbine Installation Crane onboard GeoSea’s DP2 jack-up vessel “Neptune”. The crane was handed over to the builder of the vessel IHC Offshore and Marine BV, part of IHC Merwede, who subcontracted the crane to Huisman in 2010.
The 600mt Pedestal Crane is custom-designed for the installation of offshore wind turbines and derives from Huisman’s many years of experience in the design, fabrication and service of heavy lifting equipment. The state-of-the-art crane combines unique technical features, such as a full electric variable frequency drive system, a low overall construction weight and a small minimum operating radius. Furthermore all the major equipment, such as the hoist winches, is installed inside the enclosed crane house. This offers a good protection for the harsh marine environment. These technical features result in an environmental friendly crane, lower operational costs and maximum operability.
The crane for the “Neptune” is the second crane of this type designed and manufactured by Huisman and it was constructed, commissioned and tested at the Huisman facilities in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. The installation and load testing took place at the Serdijn yard in the Rotterdam harbor.
The “Neptune” will be used for the transport and installation of offshore wind turbines and any other heavy marine offshore structures. On delivery to GeoSea early 2012, the Neptune will start her first assignment on the Thornton bank off the Belgian coast, where she will install 48 wind turbines for the second and third stages of the C-Power offshore wind farm.
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, February 21, 2012; Image: Huisman