New 165-tonne AHC crane will support offshore lifting operations aboard Jan De Nul’s latest newbuild
MacGregor has secured a contract to supply a 165-tonne active heave compensated (AHC) crane for a newbuild Ulstein SX121 vessel ordered by Jan De Nul. The vessel is under construction at China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) shipyard in China, with delivery scheduled for February 2028. The order forms part of a 1+1 vessel programme.
Jan De Nul selected MacGregor based on the company’s track record on previous projects and the proven performance of its crane technology in offshore operations.
The 165-tonne AHC crane combines high lifting capacity with a lightweight design, enabling the vessel to achieve the required lifting performance without the additional weight associated with a larger crane.
“This crane’s lightweight design gives higher lifting capacity without the added weight of a larger unit, and that translates into a real operational advantage over the vessel’s working life,” says Lucie Addicks, Executive Vice President, Offshore Solutions, MacGregor.
MacGregor’s local presence and production capabilities in China provide CMHI with direct access to design, installation, and commissioning support throughout the build, helping the yard maintain schedule discipline through to the planned delivery.
The Ulstein’s vessel design is engineered for modularity, supporting a broad range of offshore sectors, including energy, construction, and deepwater operations. This version will be purpose-built for subsea trenching, ensuring precision performance. The ULSTEIN X-BOW® hull design improves comfort, reduces wave resistance and fuel consumption.
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