Steelwind Nordenham is conducting heavy-lift load-out operations for the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm at its port facility in Nordenham, Germany, using three synchronised cranes to load monopile foundations onto vessels.
The foundations have diameters of up to 11 m, lengths reaching 100 m and weights of up to 2,050 tonnes, according to the German manufacturer.
The loading arrangement consists of two 900-tonne quay cranes and a 1,600-tonne crawler crane. All three cranes operate in synchronisation during the transfer of the monopiles onto vessels.
Steelwind said regular load-out operations are underway at its port facility as it continues supplying foundations for Hornsea 3.
The offshore wind farm is being developed by Ørsted in the UK North Sea. The developer currently lists the project with a capacity of 2,758 MW and a total of 197 offshore wind turbines.
Construction of the offshore foundations is already underway. Ørsted announced the installation of the first monopile on 14 May 2026, with the remaining foundations scheduled for installation throughout 2026 and into 2027.
Hornsea 3 is expected to begin commercial operations in 2027, according to Ørsted’s current project portfolio.
Steelwind’s ongoing operations at Nordenham involve the handling and vessel loading of foundations weighing more than 2,000 tonnes as part of the project’s offshore construction supply chain.
