The delivery of KWINDS 1, Korea’s first locally built Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV), marks an important milestone in the development of the country’s offshore wind industry.
Constructed by Eunsung Heavy Industries, the vessel is equipped with a Palfinger marine crane PK 25.001 M, a foldable knuckle boom crane engineered for offshore environments. Reflecting the growing demand for reliable, high-performance solutions that support safe and efficient offshore wind operations, vessel operators continue to prioritize equipment that delivers dependable performance in demanding offshore conditions.
Building on the success of its predecessor, the PK 23.500 M, the PK 25.001 M has become one of the most widely adopted crane solutions for CTV applications worldwide. Trusted by leading vessel operators such as Farra Marine and Northern Offshore Services (NOS), the crane is engineered to support efficient cargo handling while delivering the reliability and performance required for offshore wind operations.
“The installation of the PK 25.001 M on KWINDS 1 marks an important milestone as the first deployment of this enhanced crane model in the Asia-Pacific region,” said May Lee, Marine Sales Manager APAC at Palfinger. “This crane combines optimized boom geometry and the innovative Power Link system to deliver higher lifting performance while maintaining a compact design, helping operators maximize efficiency in demanding offshore environments.”
A key differentiator of the crane is Palfinger’s proprietary PAL40 overload protection system, developed to address the dynamic challenges of offshore lifting operations. Unlike conventional overload protection systems that may halt all crane movements during sudden load fluctuations, PAL40 selectively restricts only those functions that increase the load moment while allowing corrective movements to remain active. This enables operators to safely recover lifts, maintain operational continuity, and support efficient operations in challenging sea conditions.
“As offshore wind projects continue to expand across Asia, vessel operators are increasingly focused on maximizing uptime, safety, and operational efficiency,” says Alexander Lee, Regional Sales Director APAC for Marine at Palfinger. “Technologies such as PAL40 reflect our commitment to supporting safe and efficient offshore operations. Delivering reliable lifting solutions that help operators maintain productivity is essential to supporting the long-term growth and success of the offshore wind industry.”
With more than 20 years of experience supporting offshore wind projects worldwide, Palfinger provides lifting solutions across the renewable energy value chain, from CTVs and wind–turbine nacelles to offshore substations and platforms. The KWINDS 1 project highlights the successful integration of Korea’s shipbuilding expertise with Palfinger’sglobal offshore wind experience, supporting the continued growth of the country’s offshore wind sector. With this project, Palfinger further strengthens its Asia-Pacific presence, in line with its Strategy 2030+.
More info: www.palfinger.com
