This December, Jan De Nul will commission two cutting-edge training simulators at its Aalst office, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence. The highlight is a next-generation crane simulator developed specifically for the installation of offshore wind farms.
With modern wind turbines now reaching tip heights of 300 metres and higher, installation has evolved into an exceptionally complex operation. The new simulator will provide a highly realistic training environment, enabling all project partners to prepare thoroughly for these critical offshore activities.
The simulator is a digital twin of Jan De Nul’s newest vessels, Les Alizés and Voltaire, which install the latest generation of wind turbines and their foundations at sea. These foundations are the size of a football field and can weigh up to two thousand tonnes, the equivalent of five Boeing 747s combined. Installing such giants at sea requires extensive experience, and this simulator allows teams to practice every step of the process in a safe, realistic environment.
Stefan Bruggeman, responsible for the simulators at Jan De Nul said, “the crane simulator features a seven-metre-wide dome that provides a full 360-degree view, immersing operators as if they were truly at sea. We also train in all possible conditions: changing weather, high waves, seabed subsidence, you name it.“
“Alongside technical skills, we focus heavily on teamwork and communication. In the crane simulator, up to four roles that work closely with the crane operator can train simultaneously. Just like on board, they operate from separate rooms, allowing potential bottlenecks in communication or coordination to surface early. This not only saves time during project execution, but also boosts efficiency and safety on our vessels and worksites.”
With these new simulators, Jan De Nul is investing not only in technical training, but also in safety, collaboration and thorough project preparation. Employees, clients and partners will all train in the simulators. The goal is to minimise risks in advance and further increase the efficiency of offshore operations.
Alongside the crane simulator, Jan De Nul is also introducing a new state-of-the-art simulator for its cutter suction dredgers, vessels that cut and remove hard seabed material. This simulator is based on the Willem van Rubroeck, the most powerful cutter suction dredger in our fleet. Teams can simulate an entire project with this type of vessel, gaining valuable experience before heading offshore.
