Cosco Shipping (Qidong) Offshore has commissioned Netherlands-based heavy crane fabricator Huisman to design and build a new 2,600-tonne Leg Encircling Crane for installation on a new F-class jack-up vessel being built for offshore wind supplier Cadeler, which offers offshore turbine installation and maintenance services.
The new vessel features a unique design, which allows it to be quickly converted from a foundation installation unit to a wind turbine generator installation vessel. The new crane will have a 155-metre main boom which offers above-deck hook heights of up to 180.5 metres. The boom can also be upgraded to 175 metres to offer maximum hook heights of just over 200 metres.
The contract follows an order last year for two identical 2,000-tonne Leg Encircling Cranes for Cadeler’s X-class vessels, which were later upgraded to 2,600 tonnes. The cranes will be capable of installing foundations and wind turbines for next-generation offshore wind projects worldwide. The electric-powered crane is said to be lightweight yet strong, with high positioning accuracy and is extremely energy efficient.
The new crane will be built at Cosco’s production facility in Zhangzhou, China, and will be commissioned in 2025 at Cosco’s shipyard in Qidong, China, where the F-class vessel will be built.
The new hybrid jack-up vessel is designed to transport and install up to six XL monopiles per round-trip, substantially improving operational efficiency.
Huisman chief executive David Roodenburg said: “We are thankful and proud that, with this third order, we are able to make a significant contribution to Cadeler’s fleet expansion. We look forward to delivering the cranes in the coming years and, as a committed partner helping Cadeler to boost installed offshore wind capacity around the world.”
