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Van Oord’s offshore installation vessel Aeolus fitted with new crane

A major step was taken in the modification of Van Oord’s offshore installation vessel Aeolus, the company said in its press release. The new 1,600 tonnes crane was successfully installed onboard, making the vessel ready to handle the latest generation of foundations and turbines for offshore wind projects. The crane, designed and built by Huisman, was installed by Heerema’s Thialf. The leg encircling crane is built around the portside aft jack-up leg and the boom is stored around the forward leg, saving valuable deck space. The new crane can lift almost twice as much as the Aeolus’ previous crane. The modification of the top-class vessel will also result in increased loading capacity, accommodation capacity and a helicopter deck. Van Oord decided to upgrade the Aeolus to ensure that the vessel remains competitive in a rapidly changing market. The Aeolus will be fit for duty as from spring 2018.

Collapsing gantry crane just missed repair ship

A collapsing gantry crane across the drydock of the Damen Shipyard, Schiedam, collapsed due to extreme storm winds on Jan 3, 2017, and just miss the "Aeolus" which was under conversion at the yard since August 2017. Fortunately nobody was injured in the accident. It happened between 03:00 and 03:45 a.m. The extremely hard blowing wind caused the crane to fall over, despite the fact is was properly secured and put on the brakes for the expected storm. The large gantry crane, which has been a significant landmark in Schiedam for the past decades could not withstand the forces of nature and fell over. One of the legs fell in the drydock. The exact cause of this accident was under investigation. It will take at least 3-4 weeks to remove the gantry crane from the dry-dock. Luckily the crane fell in forward direction onto some sections which were being prepared to be added to the wind turbine installation vessel "Aeolus" which was presently being upgraded at Damen. Mammoet Salvage, Damen's nextdoor neighbour was assisting in the removal of the crane. It will at least take another year until Damen reaches its present rate of activity again, and extra lifting capacity will be now covered by rental cranes. Reports with photos and video: http://www.heavyliftnews.com/accidents/storm-takes-its-toll-at-damen-shipyard--schiedam https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=20&v=vT4YU2JFqSg https://www.flashphoto.nl/nieuws/6358/Brugkraan-omgewaaid-bij-Damen-Adminraal-de-Ruyterstraat-Schiedam.html http://www.stadsomroepschiedam.nl/brugkraan-damen-shiprepair-omgewaaid/nieuws/item?1058829

Van Oord signs contract for modification offshore installation vessel Aeolus

The upgrade program of the vessel, contracted to DAMEN Shiprepair at Schiedam, will result in increased capabilities of the vessel with respect to loading capacity, accommodation and crane capacity. This is achieved by the installation of sponsons, strengthening deck, enlarged spud cans and a new accommodation module with helideck. Furthermore the existing 900 tonnes crane will be replaced by a 1,600 tonnes LEC (Leg Encircling Crane). This capacity increase of the vessel will enable Van Oord to continue to install increasingly larger foundations and heavier turbines at offshore wind farms. The work on the adjustments starts in September 2017. The upgraded vessel will be operational in spring 2018 and will then have the biggest heavy-lift crane in its class. The new crane has been ordered from Huisman, a heavy installation equipment specialist based in Schiedam/Rotterdam. The Aeolus was previously active in offshore wind projects Gemini and Luchterduinen and will take on new projects after her upgrade like offshore windfarm Borssele 3 & 4 in the Netherlands and Norther in Belgium. http://en.portnews.ru/news/236540/