OFFSHORE (PT 2) Ӏ SECTOR SNAPSHOT


specifically for lifting applications with lifting heights of up to 200 metres and more; these greater hub heights are now a reality in the wind power industry."


Helsinki, Finland-headquartered loader crane manufacturer Hiab also makes nacelle service cranes. Deliveries of a EUR 23.5 million


contract, secured in July 2025, for Hiab’s SWP loader cranes are scheduled to have started this year and will last until early 2029. The cranes, custom-designed


for the service operations of offshore wind turbines, will be placed within the turbine nacelles. The agreement is a continuation of an existing partnership. Wind farms currently utilising


Hiab's nacelle service cranes are located across the UK, Taiwan, and the United States, with further expansion plans for Germany and Denmark. In many ways, the offshore wind sector today mirrors the formative


years of offshore oil and gas half a century ago: a period defined by scale, urgency, and relentless innovation. Then, the industry pushed the boundaries of what was technically possible in pursuit of energy security. Now, it is doing so again – this time in pursuit of sustainability.


EQUIPMENT EVOLUTION What is clear from the projects, partnerships and technologies emerging across the sector is that lifting and transport are not simply supporting functions; they are enabling ones. From modular submersible


platforms and next-generation monopile handling systems to tandem ring crane operations and high-performance AHC cranes, the evolution of equipment is keeping pace with the rapid upscaling of turbine components and installation methods. At the same time, innovations


in nacelle hoists and service cranes are ensuring that once installed, these assets can be maintained efficiently and safely over their operational lifetimes. Equally important is the growing


level of collaboration across the supply chain. Strategic alliances between logistics providers, crane specialists, turbine manufacturers and marine contractors are becoming the norm, reflecting the complexity and global nature of offshore wind projects. These partnerships are helping to optimise project delivery, reduce risk, and drive further innovation in engineering and execution. Challenges remain, not least geopolitical headwinds and regional policy divergence, but the broader trajectory is unmistakable: offshore wind is expanding at scale, and with it the demand for ever more capable, efficient and specialised lifting and transport solutions.


LIEBHERR CELEBRATES HALF-CENTURY FOR BOS MARITIME CRANE SERIES


Liebherr-Rostock’s BOS maritime crane is one with a long and successful history: the fi rst model was introduced 50 years ago. The Board Offshore Crane, to give it its full title, has been continuously evolving since then. New design elements have come in; so, too, have enhanced operational features. To date 502 BOS cranes have been sold. It has become a cornerstone of Liebherr’s


offshore crane portfolio and, this year, Liebherr celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary with the launch of an electric BOS variant. Electric power, of course, meets today’s requirements of fl exibility, energy effi ciency, and reduced emissions. Liebherr’s fi rst BOS crane, the B10/17


EX, was installed in 1975 on the Floating Production, Storage and Offl oading Unit tanker Princess Aweni, which is still operating. It’s currently in the Okoro fi eld in the Niger delta. Constant in the BOS design in all its iterations is a distinctive A-frame and lattice boom structure. The A- frame supports smooth boom luffi ng; the boom design enables large outreaches and precise load handling. Boom walkways give access to all service points. Fast auxiliary hoists speed up everyday lifts and lighter duties. A major design evolution came in 2005 when the BOS series adopted the modern confi guration that remains the industry


With a lifting capacity of up to 1,400 tonnes and an outreach of over 100 metres the BOS 45000 is suited for heavy-duty operations, including the installation of offshore wind farms


40 CRANES TODAY


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