Denzai expands fleet with 2,500 tonne crane

Denzai is getting a new 2,500 tonne capacity lattice boom crawler crane from Liebherr. Photo: Liebherr

Lifting and transport specialist Denzai KK is expanding its fleet capability with the addition of a 2,500 tonne capacity crawler crane.

The Liebherr LR 12500-1.0 lattice boom crawler will be the first of its type in the APAC region after it leaves the factory in Germany in July to join the Japan-headquartered company. Its first job begins in October at the S-OIL Shaheen project in Ulsan, South Korea. Projects in Japan and overseas will follow, the company said.

Denzai’s current largest crane is the 1,350 tonne capacity Liebherr LR 11350 with P-boom. Growth in the offshore wind industry has also seen the size and weight of turbines and their components increase dramatically in recent years such that the former fleet-topping crane now needs a larger sibling.

Handling heavier towers

Turbines in Japan’s offshore wind construction projects now underway have heavier tower sections than those in Europe, further necessitating a larger crane and sooner.

Working radius is also expected to be larger than in Europe. In some cases cranes in Japanese ports loading ships will have to reach further due to the quay having a lower load bearing capacity.

Where the components are heavier, with nacelles weighing more than 800 tonnes, a 1,350 tonne crane wouldn’t be able to lift it to the far side of a vessel. The 2,500 tonner, however, lifts 951 tonnes at a 48 metre radius.

Denzai said it expected the new crane to be able to handle the Round 1 and Round 2 offshore wind farm work, followed by the onshore assembly of offshore floating turbines to come after that.

Denzai’s new Liebherr LR 12500-1.0 lattice boom crawler crane will leave the Ehingen factory in July. Photo: Liebherr