Jan De Nul Group and Huisman announce today that they have joined forces for the heavy lift equipment on board of Jan De Nul’s Next Generation offshore installation vessels Les Alizés and Voltaire. Upon the order of both vessels in 2019, Jan De Nul Group awarded the contract for the engineering, construction and delivery of two highly innovative cranes to Huisman.
For these cranes, which will be the largest in their class, Huisman developed the Universal Quick Connector (UQC) based on the expertise of Jan De Nul Group’s operational and engineering team. The result is a groundbreaking innovation, resulting in a major step change in safer offshore hoisting activities.
The Universal Quick Connector is a smart, modular and robust clamp which is mounted inside the crane’s lower block. It allows to lift objects through a direct connection, without intermediate rigging and totally hands-free.
Robby De Backer, Director Newbuilding at Jan De Nul Group: “Our newbuilding department has developed the Universal Quick Connector together with Huisman, our trusted partner in pioneering technology. This innovation will considerably increase the safety during offshore lifting and installation activities. With this UQC, we provide our offshore installation teams on board of both vessels with better means to control the lifting operations in a safe way. This will definitely improve and support the offshore installation industry in general.”
Henk Weterings, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Huisman: “We are delighted to have Jan De Nul Group as launching customer for our Universal Quick Connector tool. By refining this concept with the operational and procedural expertise of Jan De Nul’s engineering teams, we have created an integrated tool which will increase safety and workability on board. We envision that this tool will be the first of many in the offshore lifting industry.”
No need for rigging increases safety and workability
The Universal Quick Connector attaches and detaches loads and tools directly to the crane’s lower block without rigging, entirely hands-free and fully automatic. This automated working method creates a safe environment in which the personnel’s safety is not compromised. The complex task of – typically manual assisted – (de)rigging can be prepared outside of the critical path of the lifting operation.
Overall, the UQC also improves workability. Because rigging is no longer needed, the crane fitted with the UQC can optimize available lifting heights and work subsea where traditional equipment encounters difficulties when rigging a load.
Active rotation device improves control of load
The UQC is fitted with an active rotation device increasing operational control when attaching the load. It allows rotation of the load to finetune its orientation without additional taglines. This enables the accurate positioning of heavy components as well as wind turbine components with strict bolt pattern tolerances.
Versatile design offers open interface
The Universal Quick Connector connects to the lifting tool with a specific pin. Any lifting tool fitted with this pin can be used by the UQC. Thanks to its versatile design, the UQC will also be able to hoist existing lifting tools by means of an intermediate lifting eye and pin connection. And if conventional rigging is needed, a traditional hook fitted with the pin can be mounted in the UQC.
Click here for an artist impression of the UQC: https://vimeo.com/410998674/61772b9c04
About Jan De Nul Group
Design. Build. Connect. Jan De Nul Group shapes water and land. Worldwide. From complex offshore services for oil and gas and renewables, to large dredging and both land and coastal reclamation projects, to challenging civil construction and environmental programmes. Well integrated competences and investments lead to creative, sustainable and innovative solutions. In this way Jan De Nul Group delivers results that produce satisfied customers. Building a better future. – www.jandenul.com
About Huisman
Huisman is a worldwide supplier of step changing technical solutions to the world’s leading companies in renewable energy, oil and gas, civil, naval and entertainment markets. The projects vary from stand-alone components to highly engineered integrated systems, from concept to installation and lifetime support. The Huisman operations are divided between the offices in The Netherlands, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Norway, Singapore and the USA and the facilities in The Netherlands, Brazil, Czech Republic and China. – www.huismanequipment.com
