Huisman:Jones Act Compliant Solution for Wind Turbine Component Supply

Huisman, the worldwide provider of step changing technical solutions, introduces a Motion Compensated Platform to quickly and safely transfer wind turbine components from a feeder vessel. Since using an  internationally flagged Wind Turbine Installation Vessel is restricted under  the Jones Act, a feeder vessel with a Motion Compensated Platform offers a reliable and efficient solution for transportation of components in US waters. 

The Motion Compensated Platform provides a stable deck area because it  actively counterbalances the effects of vessel motions. This means that lifting heavy components and moving an empty jack-up vessel can be done in more  severe weather conditions, thus significantly increasing the weather window for  operations.  

The dimensions and capacities of the Motion Compensated Platform are  optimised for next-generation wind turbines and are designed to compensate  for five degrees of vessel motions. The Motion Compensated Platform can be  integrated into the hold of a vessel and aligned with the main deck, making it  easy to skid cargo across the platform. 

Cees van Veluw, Product Manager at Huisman: “By using an offshore rated  feeder vessel equipped with our Motion Compensated Platform, the jack-up  vessel can continue installation work without having to shuttle back and forth to  load new components. Maximising the operational time results in a faster and  more reliable delivery of an offshore wind farm, compared to more traditional  feeder solutions.”  

With this development, Huisman aims to grow its presence in the US Offshore  Wind market. In December 2020, Huisman was contracted by Keppel AmFELS  from Brownsville, Texas, for the delivery of a 2,200mt Leg Encircling Crane for the world’s first Jones Act compliant Wind Turbine Installation Vessel, Charybdis, ordered by Dominion Energy. In May 2020, the first monopile  foundations in US federal waters were installed by Jan de Nul’s vessel Vole au  Vent, using Huisman’s cutting edge Motion Compensated Monopile Gripper. To locally support the North American market, Huisman has facilities in the Houston area, Texas.