BMS Heavy Cranes is leading a major offshore wind project with the assembly of 106 wind turbine towers for a large offshore wind farm near Borkum. The project, which began in December 2023 and is set to finish by the end of 2024, relies heavily on Liebherr’s LR-series crawler cranes, a critical component of BMS’s operations in Esbjerg, Denmark’s central hub for offshore wind energy.
For the challenging task, BMS has deployed three Liebherr LR 11350 crawler cranes in SDB configuration, each equipped with a 132-meter main boom and 42-meter derrick. These high-performance machines are used to assemble tower sections into 110-meter tall towers, which are then fully wired and transferred onto special vessels for transport to the wind farm site.
Evolving Offshore Wind Power
The offshore wind sector has seen dramatic growth over the years. While early wind turbines had a 50 kW output and 15-meter rotors, modern turbines now deliver up to 11 MW with rotor diameters of 200 meters. This exponential growth has placed high demands on lifting equipment, with Liebherr cranes at the forefront of these developments.
In Esbjerg, BMS’s LR 11350 cranes work with precision on carefully leveled tracks to ensure the center of gravity is correctly positioned. To handle the complex lifts, the cranes are ballasted with 400 tonnes on the superstructure, and up to an additional 260 tonnes of suspended ballast for heavier loads. Liebherr’s LICCON system provides real-time data on crane stability, optimizing safety and efficiency during each lift.
Safety and Precision
Safety is a top priority for BMS, with operations designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 13.5 m/s. “We monitor wind conditions using the LICCON system and our own app, ensuring that lifts only occur when conditions are optimal,” explains Lars Thomsen, Onsite Project Manager at BMS. Crane Supervisor Michael Leonard emphasizes the importance of close coordination with other stakeholders: “We work closely with the installation company and wind turbine manufacturers to ensure that no tower element begins swinging, especially when handling 100-tonne pieces.”
Around-the-Clock Operations
BMS’s operations run 24 hours a day with two shifts of 12 hours each. A dedicated team of crane operators conducts daily checks to ensure optimal performance, while cameras mounted on the hook, boom, and ropes provide operators with a clear view, even in challenging conditions such as fog, rain, or darkness.
As wind turbines continue to grow in size and weight, the current capabilities of the LR 11350 will soon reach their limits. BMS and Liebherr are in ongoing discussions to develop new solutions that will meet the future demands of offshore wind projects.
Despite these challenges, Thomsen is confident in the quality of Liebherr equipment: “Liebherr’s cranes, especially the fast assembly and disassembly features, along with the excellent LICCON control system, make our work much easier.”
