Huisman lands contract for two knuckle boom cranes for Sea1 Offshore

The Netherlands-based Huisman has been awarded a contract by COSCO (Qidong) Offshore, to supply two 250 metric tons (mt) knuckle boom cranes for Sea1 Offshore’s ST-245-designed offshore energy support vessels.

According to Huisman, the cranes will feature the company’s proprietary active heave compensation (AHC) system, which links the crane’s electric design to the vessel’s DC grid. This integration is said to facilitate efficient interaction with the vessel’s electrical energy storage system, reducing net energy consumption during offshore lifting operations.

This marks Huisman’s fourth contract for crane solutions in 2024. The company has reported increasing interest in its upgraded knuckle boom crane series, launched in October 2023, which aligns with the industry’s focus on reducing energy consumption and supporting sustainable operations.

“With the current surge in newbuilds in the OSV sector, we are witnessing growing demand for high-quality equipment with low energy consumption,” said Cees van Veluw, Product Director Cranes at Huisman.

“Huisman’s Active Heave Compensation solutions address these requirements and include our patented technology for seamless interaction with the vessel’s Electrical Energy Storage System. We are pleased with the confidence both Sea1 Offshore and COSCO Qidong Offshore have shown in Huisman for the delivery of these cranes.” 

The 250 mt knuckle boom cranes are designed to support deepwater operations with an active heave compensated main and auxiliary hoist, a main hoist block catcher, and a maximum reach of 36 meters. These cranes will enhance the operational efficiency of Sea1 Offshore’s vessels, ensuring advanced capabilities while reducing environmental impact.

The knuckle boom cranes come with the most recent version of Huisman’s Secondary Controlled Electro-hydraulic power system as standard.

The Dutch company noted it had recently implemented the fifth generation of its motion controller HMC 05c in all of the models. With the latest improvements, interaction with the vessel’s power grid has been improved to allow for use with alternative fuels, including ammonia, methanol, or LNG.

In May, Huisman secured a contract with a company that is part of a Malaysia-based integrated oil & gas services and energy infrastructure solutions provider for the delivery of a deepwater knuckle boom crane.