Fred. Olsen Windcarrier prepares for next generation turbines with a 1600t crane
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier is upgrading one of its Gusto 9000 jack-up vessels with a new crane capable of installing foundations and all known next generation offshore wind turbines. Upon delivery in 2022, the unique 1600t leg encircling crane will be the highest in the market.
“With this new crane, we are gearing up for the next generation of offshore wind turbines. After installing more than 600 offshore turbines, we continue to set our sights higher and higher, knowing that our clients need a partner who can support them in establishing tomorrow’s offshore wind gigaparks,” says Even Larsen, CEO Fred. Olsen Ocean.
With its upgraded crane and improvements to stability, the vessel will be capable of installing foundations up to 1500t and handling all known next generation turbines.
“This unique crane has been enhanced with an even more extreme boom and outreach capacity. The crane allows us to stow the wind turbine components in a more flexible way despite the increased crane weight, thus maintaining or exceeding the payload we carry for our clients. Furthermore, blades can be installed with the faster auxiliary hook and in higher wind speeds. All together this is a considerable lifetime extension for the vessel, as the weight and dimensions of wind turbine components continues to increase,” says Managing Director Alexandra Koefoed, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier.
Key performance of the new crane:
• Aux hook 400t @165m above deck (140m boom)
• 1250t@38.5m @155m above deck (140m boom)
• 1600t@32m (105m boom)
• Boom configuration can be changed in less than a week
The new 1600t LEC 65500 crane will be supplied by Huisman. “The compact size of the new crane in combination with its low own weight and high lifting capacity make the crane unique and suitable for both the installation of foundations and next generation wind turbines. Over the last years we have established a unique working relationship with Fred. Olsen Windcarrier and this is a great example of two leading companies working together and combining their knowledge and experience in the field of cranes and installation,” says Jan Atle Andresen, Regional Director, Huisman Norge AS.
Key facts about the new crane:
• A unique Huisman 1600t LEC 65500
• The new crane will be top of market for reliability and redundancy with its proven and enhanced design
• Additional speed packages provide a very high operational speed
• The Lambda shaped boom is very stiff giving reduced motions at the crane tip
• The crane is fully electrically driven resulting in reduced maintenance and higher reliability
• The crane is more environmentally friendly with less power consumption, no oil leakage and a lower noise level
• Catchers on all blocks/hooks minimise time spent on stowing
• Small tail swing allows for optimised utilisation of free deck space
About Fred. Olsen Windcarrier:
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier provides innovative and tailored services for the transport, installation, and maintenance of offshore wind farms.
Building on more than 170 years of offshore and marine experience, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier was established in 2008 to service the growing offshore wind sector. The company now operates three class leading purposebuilt jack-up vessels; Bold Tern, Brave Tern and Blue Tern. Last year, a long-term time charter for the O&M jack-up vessel Jill was signed, and she is now under commercial management of Fred. Olsen Windcarrier.
The Fred. Olsen Windcarrier vessels have installed more than 600 wind turbines offshore and gained extensive experience installing the latest generation offshore wind turbines on some of the world’s largest wind farms. The company provides complete project management services and carries a vast engineering expertise in-house and is capable of providing complete turnkey installation solutions for offshore wind turbines with inhouse personnel.
In addition, the company is a majority owner (75,5%) of Global Wind Service, providing a team of more than 900 highly experienced wind turbine technicians. Global Wind Service is one of the most experienced service providers in the wind industry, having delivered projects in more than 50 countries worldwide. Having worked on most major offshore wind farm in Europe, Global Wind Service continues to build momentum as the preferred installation and service partner for both offshore and onshore wind projects around the globe.
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier is wholly owned by Fred. Olsen Ocean Ltd. employing over 1200 people in offshore wind. Fred. Olsen Ocean is wholly owned by the Norwegian stock listed company Bonheur ASA.
The company has offices in Oslo - Norway, Fredericia – Denmark, Hamburg – Germany and Taipei – Taiwan.