Dutch technology developer trials inline AHC solution for offshore vessel

The offshore lifting tool was successfully tested with testing partners Van Oord and nautical research institute MARIN for fixed-to-floating, floating-to-fixed and floating-to-floating transfers of 300mt loads.

The offshore trial was the last step in full DNV product certification as a standard offshore lifting tool. The research project was executed with a grant from the Ministry of Economic affairs of the Netherlands, and included Dutch research agency TNO besides the offshore testing partners MARIN, Van Oord Offshore Wind and Seaqualize. 

During these offshore trials, the Delta600 lifted a test weight to and from the floating supply vessel Rem Trader, using Van Oord’s jack-up crane vessel Aeolus in both jacked and floating conditions. These floating-to-floating and floating-to-fixed lifts were operational tests of typical challenges in the offshore wind industry: installing turbine components using a floating vessel, or picking up components from a floating supply vessel. Such ’feeder barge’ operations are essential in for example the US wind market. Transferring the most delicate parts of a wind turbine offshore is new to the market, and such operations comprise demanding lifting conditions and a new set of tools.

The solution is the first time an inline AHC solution has been developed for the offshore segment, and is expected offer particular advantages during offshore wind turbine installations or when lifting delicate loads to and from floating supply vessels or barges. By reducing heave motions and set down-velocities by up to 95% for heavy loads, the solution allows shorter and better plannable installation campaigns.

The iAHC has been under development since December 2019. The tool can balance and transfer loads of up to 600mt in mid-air, while the barge or crane vessel is heaving up and down in heavy seas of up to 2.5m.