PALFINGER has secured another offshore contract in the North Sea, signing an agreement with Dragados Offshore to deliver seven PF200-7m davit cranes for five HVDC converter platforms. The order lands as Europe accelerates offshore grid build-out to support the energy transition and reduce dependence on imported energy, pushing demand for reliable lifting systems for access and operations at sea.
The converter platforms are part of large grid-connection programmes supporting German transmission system operators Amprion and TenneT Germany. Two Amprion offshore substations will each be equipped with two PF200-7m units, while three TenneT substations will receive one crane each. Once operational, the substations are intended to function as high-capacity transmission hubs linking offshore wind farms to the mainland grid.
The PF200-7m is designed for offshore conditions where weight, corrosion protection and maintenance intervals are critical. PALFINGER points to a plug-and-play design, low weight and corrosion protection aimed at long-term operation at sea.
Production is scheduled to start in the first half of 2026, with deliveries planned through the first quarter of 2028. Offshore commissioning is expected to continue until the fourth quarter of 2031, aligned with the phased completion of the converter platforms.
The contract marks PALFINGER’s first collaboration with Dragados Offshore and its first project with Amprion. For TenneT, it represents the company’s third major offshore substation programme involving PALFINGER, following earlier deliveries linked to Seatrium and Larsen and Toubro. With this project included, PALFINGER counts davit crane deliveries for 12 of the 15 TenneT offshore substations currently planned in German and Dutch waters.
“This collaboration and the growing demand for our offshore wind cranes further solidifies PALFINGER’s position as a key provider of integrated marine solutions and highlights the strategic importance of strong, long-term partnerships in this market. We are proud to support the continued expansion of offshore grid infrastructure in the North Sea”
Said Iavor Markov, Global Key Account and Segment Manager Offshore Wind at PALFINGER.
In 2025, PALFINGER secured 42 davit crane orders for offshore substations, underlining the pace of offshore grid and wind infrastructure build-out.
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