In order to promote energy transition, the installation of offshore wind turbines has become crucial. As the size of wind turbines increases, the difficulty of handling these large components also increases. Not long ago, the Liebherr LR 12500-1.0 crawler crane completed its first operation at the Rostock port in Germany, successfully lifting a giant single pile nearly 90 meters long into the water, demonstrating its strong capabilities in this field. Meanwhile, another Liebherr LR 1800-1.0 crawler crane is also assisting in handling these single piles weighing 1360 tons.
On the Baltic coast, Dutch company Van Oord is building infrastructure for the "Baltic Eagle" wind farm. According to the plan of Spanish energy supplier Iberdrola, the wind farm will be completed by the end of 2024, with 50 wind turbines providing a total of 476 megawatts of electricity for 475000 households. In this process, our two advanced crawler cranes played a crucial role, and the debut of LR 12500-1.0 was also carried out during this large-scale deployment.
At Rostock Port, two giant crawler cranes stand out prominently, with their colorful truss arms standing in the air, becoming the most prominent symbol. However, upon entering the port area, giant single piles as high as houses were densely arranged, blocking the view. It was necessary to bend slightly to see the yellow tracks of LR 12500-1.0 through these giant hollow steel pipes. Standing in front of the crane, one can clearly observe its 7.5-meter-wide high-performance truss boom, unique design of the truss boom and rotating platform, which is extremely attractive.
These steel pipe piles will be driven into the seabed to provide stable support for future offshore wind turbines. The single pile is towed by a tugboat and transported to the construction site of the "Baltic Eagle" wind farm after a voyage of 85 nautical miles. And our crane is ready at the port to ensure the smooth launch of these single piles.
The innovative slewing platform design and 7.5-meter-wide high-performance boom of the Liebherr LR 12500-1.0 crawler crane greatly enhance its adaptability in complex environments. This task is being carried out by the Belgian lifting and hoisting giant Sarens Group. The company operates in over 70 countries worldwide, specializing in crane leasing, heavy lifting, and engineering transportation, and is one of the leaders in this field. The first device of LR 12500-1.0 was delivered directly from Liebherr Ehingen factory to Rostock.
Willem Dittmer, project manager of Sarens Group, said, "With the assistance of Liebherr technicians, the team successfully assembled the crane in just three weeks in a small space where giant pipe piles were stacked. In addition, to protect the port foundation, the team built a platform on a one meter thick sand layer and used Bongosi wood and load distribution boards to provide stable support for the 2500 ton crane.
The LR 12500-1.0 demonstrates powerful lifting capabilities and lightweight design. The brand new design structure and wide truss arm stably transmit force to the rotating platform, ensuring the safety and accuracy of operation. The new transportation and assembly solution of this crane is amazing, "said project manager Dittmer." The folding design of the boom and the split type rotating platform simplify transportation and accelerate installation speed. Moreover, it reduces its own weight while maintaining a huge lifting capacity, which is unbelievable
When a single pile with a diameter of 9 meters was lifted into the port, the LR 1800-1.0 and LR 12500-1.0 cranes from the crane leasing company MAXIRaft shared a total load of nearly 1600 tons. Two cranes are operating side by side 50 meters apart, showcasing the powerful performance of LR 12500-1.0, especially its excellent double hook system. This huge hook attracted widespread attention at the Bauma exhibition in Munich due to its 70 ton weight and innovative design. During the lifting process, LR 12500-1.0 is mainly responsible for carrying a weight of 1245 tons, while the smaller LR 1800-1.0 is responsible for carrying 350 tons. The LR 1800-1.0 also has the ability to rotate, providing greater flexibility for lifting tasks.
In the spacious cockpit, driver Robert Pawlowski was ready to carefully check the various data on the monitor again. The 7-meter-high cockpit provides him with a good view, ensuring that the lifting process is under control.
Pawlowski said, "I am very satisfied with operating this modern crawler crane. The sophisticated lighting system and multiple cameras have provided great assistance to our drivers, and the convenient ladder and platform have made our work safer and more efficient." He also mentioned, "The transportation and assembly scheme of the boom section is excellent, and the rigidity and stability of the boom are equally impressive." Pawlowski's gaze locked onto the ground, and a single pile was slowly moving in front of the crane through two 30 axis SPMT module transport vehicles. Six expert teams are on standby at the scene, holding huge slings, steel cables, and shackles that far exceed conventional sizes. Pawlowski lowered the hook and the team immediately began fixing the operation. After more than an hour, the lifting work was successfully completed, and Pawlowski and the driver of another crane completed the final instructions via radio.
The tugboat pulled a single pile into the Baltic Sea. This 85 nautical mile journey is expected to take 15 hours to reach the construction site of the "Baltic Eagle" wind farm. After the lifting is completed, the heavy-duty SPMT transport vehicle is guided away from the hazardous area. Two crawler cranes began to slowly operate the truss boom and gradually expand the boom radius, accurately placing the huge single pile into the deep water area of the port. A standby tugboat took over and gently towed the floating single pile into place, preparing to set sail for the destination "Baltic Eagle" wind farm.
