Palfinger has secured a major offshore contract to supply davit cranes for High Voltage Direct Current converter platforms in the North Sea, supporting the continued expansion of Europe’s offshore grid infrastructure.
Under an agreement with Dragados Offshore, Palfinger will deliver seven PF200-7m davit cranes for five offshore converter platforms linked to grid connection projects for transmission system operators Amprion and TenneT Germany.
The converter platforms will act as transmission hubs connecting offshore wind farms to mainland electricity networks as Europe accelerates renewable energy development and energy independence initiatives.
Two Amprion offshore substations will each receive two PF200-7m cranes, while three TenneT substations will each be equipped with one unit.
According to Palfinger, the PF200-7m davit crane has been designed specifically for harsh offshore environments, combining low weight with strong lifting performance and reduced maintenance requirements. The cranes also feature advanced corrosion protection and a plug-and-play design for long-term offshore reliability.
Production is scheduled to begin during the first half of 2026, with deliveries continuing through early 2028. Offshore commissioning activities are expected to continue until the end of 2031.
The contract marks Palfinger’s first collaboration with Dragados Offshore and its first offshore project involving Amprion. It also represents the company’s third major offshore substation programme with TenneT following previous projects with Seatrium and Larsen & Toubro.
“This collaboration and the growing demand for our offshore wind cranes further solidifies Palfinger’s position as a key provider of integrated marine solutions,” said Iavor Markov, global key account and segment manager offshore wind at Palfinger.
In 2025 alone, Palfinger secured 42 davit crane orders for offshore substations worldwide.
