May 13 - Huisman, the Dutch-based specialist in lifting, drilling and subsea solutions, has handed over a new 600-tonne pedestal crane after successful competition of load testing to clients Centrica Renewable Energy Ltd and MPI Offshore, just 15 months a

Testing of the crane started in March and was completed prior to installation on the Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV) MPI Resolution. The crane was constructed, installed, commissioned and tested at the Huismanfacility in Schiedam, The Netherlands with the final load test taking place at the Keppel Verolme yard in Rozenburg, The Netherlands.

The crane is custom-designed for the installation of offshore wind turbines and derives from Huisman's experience in the design, fabrication and service of heavy lifting equipment. The state-of-the-art crane combines unique technical features such as a full electric variable frequency drive system, a low overall construction weight and a small minimum operating radius while all major equipment, such as hoist winches, is installed inside the enclosed crane house.

A second 600-tonne crane for another client is due for delivery in Q4 this year.

* In the July/August edition of Heavy Lift & Project Forwarding International (HLPFI) magazine, journalists will be taking an in-depth look at heavy lift and project cargo aspects of the worldwide boom in renewable energy infrastructure investment. If you have an interesting heavy lift or project cargo story that you would like to be included in our report, please contact the editorial team at editorial@heavyliftpfi.com