Huisman to equip vessel for monopile installations

Huisman has been awarded a contract by Seaway7, part of Subsea7 Group, for the delivery of the entire monopile installation spread for jack-up vessel Seaway Ventus, consisting of a monopile gripper, an upending frame, and two sets of monopile storage cradles.

The monopile upending frame is adjustable in length and therefore suitable for handling a wide range of monopiles. (Photo: Huisman)

Huisman has modified its existing gripper design to meet Subsea7’s requirement to maximise the vessel payload.

This new design of grippers is more lightweight and robust, and capable of handling XXL monopiles, Huisman said. 

Huisman said it has also paid special attention to optimising the upending process. The monopile upending frame is adjustable in length and therefore suitable for handling a wide range of monopiles.

The monopile storage cradles are outfitted with adjustable saddles to be able to store various monopiles sizes. The cradles can be expanded with an additional layer to double the vessel’s storage capacity.

Since the Seaway Ventus will be deployed for monopile as well as wind turbine installation, Huisman has ensured easy and quick (de)mobilisation of the monopile installation spread. The equipment will be integrated in the vessel in such a way that the permanent installed parts are kept to a minimum, further maximising the payload.

The monopile installation spread will be engineered, built, and installed on the Ventus at Huisman’s premises in Schiedam, the Netherlands. Delivery is scheduled for Q4, 2024.

David Roodenburg, CEO of Huisman says: “We are grateful to Seaway7 for trusting us to equip their vessel with the entire installation spread. This is where we add value, supplying integrated lifting equipment that increases safety, efficiency and workability. After building a long track record of Pipelay Systems with Seaway7’s parent company Subsea7, this order marks our first contract with the group for wind installation equipment. We are extremely excited to join them in their ambition to lead the way in the delivery of fixed offshore wind projects, and contributing to an efficient and sustainable energy supply for the future.”