Huisman announces 700 tonne onshore crane

Huisman’s new 700 tonne capacity Travelling Quayside crane for loading offshore wind energy components. Image: Huisman

Crane and engineering specialist Huisman has launched a 700 tonne capacity onshore model for loading out components of offshore wind turbines.

The Dutch company said it developed the new model in connection with the rising demand for the large, 2,600 and 4,000 tonne capacity Skyhook models for loading out foundation pieces and installation of floating turbines.

Loading out components will be faster with the new 700 tonne Travelling Quayside Crane than the usual methods of using a crawler crane or two smaller 200 or 300 tonne capacity cranes lifting in tandem, Huisman said. The company also said it is a more sustainable solution.

Electric power
As a fully electric crane it will takes its power from the grid and a regenerative energy recovery function will allow any extra electricity generated, for example, by lowering a load, to be fed back to the grid. Huisman said it “has been a frontrunner in the electrification of heavy lift cranes to optimise energy efficiency since 1984.”

Further benefits include quieter operation and less maintenance than a diesel crane.

The new crane’s full capacity is available on its 57 metre boom out to a radius of 25 metres, designed to allow the crane to load the majority of turbine components onto the cargo ships currently operating for this purpose. It can travel on its 16 metre-wide (as standard, other widths can be accommodated) track with a load on the hook to help speed up loading and minimise the time a ship needs to spend in port.

Its dual main hoist means flexibility for a wide range of rigging configurations and less ancillary equipment. The operator cabin is set for an “eye level” of 33.5 metres above the quayside to afford the best view of the working environment.

Commenting on the new crane Cees van Veluw, Huisman product manager for cranes, said, “We see a need in the offshore wind logistics market for increased efficiency in smaller ports in newly developed offshore wind areas. The traditional use of crawler cranes or multiple smaller quayside cranes would require a very large backyard. It also requires the transport vessel to be moored along the quayside for an unnecessarily long time. With this new 700 metric tonne Huisman Travelling Quayside Crane, offshore wind ports can be ready for a quick load-out of turbine components in a sustainable manner.”