Huisman signs contract for American offshore wind installation vessel

Huisman has signed a contract with Keppel AmFELS to deliver a Leg Encircling Crane (LEC) for Dominion Energy’s wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) Charybdis.

The crane will be able to lift 2,200 tons, will have a 130m long boom, and will allow the installation of the new generation of offshore wind turbines, Huisman said.

It is scheduled for delivery in 2023, with Huisman North America, based in Rosenberg, Texas, planning to commission and test it at the Keppel AmFELS yard in Brownsville.

“We are grateful for the trust Dominion Energy has shown in Huisman and are proud to be part of a driving force in energy transition in the U.S.,” said David Roodenburg, CEO at Huisman.

“We are aware of the challenges involved in making such an investment during Covid-19 times without there being an opportunity for personal interaction during finalisation of the contractual agreement and start-up of the project itself, which is why we appreciate Dominion’s confidence even more.”

In September, Dominion Energy announced it had selected Huisman to deliver the crane for what will be the first U.S. Jones Act compliant offshore wind installation vessel.

The keel for Charybdis was recently laid, while the vessel is expected to be available to support turbine installation by the end of 2023.