Second 3,000 tonne capacity Huisman giant crane for Havfram

Huisman has won an order for a second 3,000 tonne capacity leg encircling crane for Havfram in Norway. Image: Huisman

Havfram Wind has ordered its second 3,000 tonnes-plus capacity Huisman crane for offshore wind turbine installation.

Dutch crane and heavy engineering specialist Huisman will supply the Norwegian installation contractor with the giant leg encircling crane (LEC). Installation will be on the second new NG-20000X wind turbine installation vessel. This order follows the first, placed in mid-December 2022, for an identical crane which was the 13th LEC order for Huisman since 2021.

At the same time, Havfram ordered the second new NG-20000X vessel, on which the crane will be installed, from CIMC Raffles in China. It is designed by GustoMSC in the Netherlands and CIMC Raffles. The new vessels with their 3,000 tonne LECs will be able to install turbines with rotors up to 300 metres in diameter and monopile foundations weighing 3,000 tonnes to a water depth of 70 metres.

What will it lift

Huisman’s fully electric LECs for Havfram will have 155 metre booms and a lifting height around 180 metres above the deck. It is designed to be lightweight and reliable, with high positioning accuracy and energy efficiency in operation. Deck space is maximised by the short tail swing design. Its segmented slew bearing is designed for easy inspection and maintenance.

Speaking about the latest order David Roodenburg, Huisman CEO, said, “We are grateful that Havfram have placed their trust in us to also equip their second innovative new build vessel with a Huisman crane. They are constructing some of the world’s most energy efficient, hybrid-powered wind turbine installation vessels. We are proud that with the two crane orders, we can contribute to boosting wind energy production as well as further improving energy efficiency to reduce Havfram’s carbon footprint.”

Commenting on his choice of crane Håkon Johannessen, Havfram Wind engineering manager, said, “We are pleased to have Huisman supplying cranes for our newbuild wind turbine installation vessels. Huisman’s track record and willingness to tailor their already proven leg encircling crane design to fit the requirements of Havfram and the market has been key to ensuring we have the right tool for the tasks that lie ahead.”

Like the first unit this second crane will be built at the Huisman factory in Zhangzhou, China.

Havfram Wind’s new wind turbine installation vessel to be built by CIMC Raffles. Image: CIMC Raffles