PRESS RELEASE – In collaboration with Jan de Nul, Huisman Equipment has developed a Universal Quick Connector that allows installation ships to quickly and hands-free change hooks or other heavy lifting equipment. The system will be installed on Jan de Nul’s new offshore installation vessels Les Alizés and Voltaire. 

The Universal Quick Connector, or UQC, is a smart, modular and robust clamp which is mounted inside the crane’s lower block. It allows lifting objects through a direct connection, without intermediate rigging and totally hands-free.

It is fitted with an active rotation device increasing operational control when attaching the load and allows rotation of the load to fine-tune its orientation without additional taglines. This makes it possible to accurately position heavy components as well as wind turbine components with strict bolt pattern tolerances.

The UQC connects to the lifting tool with a specific pin but existing liftings tools can also be used by means of an intermediate lifting eye and pin connection. In case conventional rigging is needed, a traditional hook fitted with the pin can also be mounted in the UQC.

“This innovation will considerably increase safety during offshore lifting and installation activities. This will definitely improve and support the offshore installation industry in general”, says Robby De Backer, Director Newbuilding at Jan De Nul Group.

“We envision that this tool will be the first of many in the offshore lifting industry”, adds Huisman’s Chief Technology Officer Henk Weterings.