Huisman has announced the award of a contract with Fred. Olsen Windcarrier for delivery of another 1,600mt Leg Encircling Crane (LEC) to be installed on jack-up offshore wind turbine installation vessel Brave Tern. This order follows the previous order of a 1,600mt LEC in March 2020, as part of the major fleet upgrade programme of Fred. Olsen Windcarrier.
The 1,600mt LEC will be outfitted with a unique 140m boom and has a lifting height of 165m above deck. With its upgraded cranes, the vessels of Fred. Olsen Windcarrier will be capable of installing larger foundations and handling next generation turbines.
Huisman has designed its LECs to meet the requirements of the continually developing offshore renewables sector. The cranes are lightweight, have high positioning accuracy and are highly energy efficient, contributing to a reduced emissions footprint during the installation of increasingly large turbines.
The crane features a small tail swing, offering optimal deck space. The theme of efficiency is continued in the design of the slew bearing. Its construction in multiple segments ensures ease of inspection and maintenance.
Alexandra Koefoed, CEO of Fred. Olsen Windcarrier: “Ordering our second crane from Huisman is a demonstration of our commitment to the offshore wind industry and another key milestone in our announced upgrade programme for all three existing vessels. We are looking forward to continuing to build on our good relationship with Huisman.”
David Roodenburg, CEO of Huisman: “We are very proud of this second order for a Leg Encircling Crane and will draw on our skills and expertise to contribute to Fred Olsen’s major fleet upgrade programme. This order underlines our mutual commitment to make Fred Olsen’s installation vessels future proof, suitable for installing the next generation of wind turbines. Our team is looking forward to building the second crane and continuing our close cooperation on tailoring the 1,600mt LECs to the requirements of tomorrow’s offshore wind farms.”
Features & benefits of the Huisman Leg Encircling Crane
- A fully electrically driven system, resulting in high positioning accuracy, efficient energy use, reduced maintenance and high reliability
- In-house developed slew bearing system, providing highly reliable and accurate positioning of the crane
- A unique boom design ensuring a lightweight and stiff design, limiting motions at the crane tip
- Small tail swing allowing for optimised utilisation of free deck space