Mammoet to begin production of long lead time ring crane components in third quarter of 2022

The SK6,000 ring crane has been scheduled to begin production of its long lead time components starting in the third quarter of 2022. It will allow offshore wind projects to take place under entirely electric power – even where there is no connection available to the grid.

As developers look to supply more cost-effective energy to consumers, offshore wind farms are moving to deeper waters and reaching higher to find stronger flows. As a result, the scale of turbine and foundation components – in both fixed and floating offshore wind – continues to grow.

Bottom fixed jackets and monopiles weighing between 2,000t and 3,000t are now common, while next-generation turbine towers between 15MW and 20MW will rise beyond 150 metres. If global installed capacity targets are to be realized, the supply chain must also grow.

That is why Mammoet is investing in the SK6,000, the next evolution in the SK series of heavy-lift cranes. The SK6,000 will serve the needs of both fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind projects.

For fixed-bottom projects, when loading-out 3,000t jacket foundations in areas of high tidal range where RORO transfer is not always possible, or installing complete towers and nacelles of 20MW turbines, the SK6,000 creates ideal value onshore prior to the installation at sea.

For floating wind projects, due to its maximum radius of 144m, the SK6,000 can lift a heavy floating foundation directly into the water and assemble its turbine from a single position. This turns the quayside into a production line. 

As it is containerized, the SK6,000 can be mobilized to any port, allowing projects to be executed where the right knowledge and skills are abundant and where the assets can be best utilized.

With hub heights continuing to grow, the SK6,000 offers a commercial-scale solution. By using Mammoet’s electric-powered SPMT, the entire heavy lift and transport scope can be completed emissions-free.