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KWINDS 1, the first Crew Transfer Vessel built in Korea, has been delivered with a PALFINGER PK 25.001 M crane, signaling a major step forward for the country’s offshore wind sector and the Asia Pacific market.
Market and operational impact
The vessel, constructed by Eunsung Heavy Industries, is equipped with the PALFINGER PK 25.001 M crane, a foldable knuckle boom model designed for offshore environments. This delivery underscores the rising demand for high performance lifting solutions in the region’s expanding offshore wind industry. The PK 25.001 M, an evolution of the widely used PK 23.500 M, is already trusted by operators such as Farra Marine and Northern Offshore Services (NOS) for its reliability in demanding conditions.
The crane’s design includes optimized boom geometry and the Power Link system, which enhance lifting performance while maintaining a compact footprint. This allows vessel operators to maximize efficiency in challenging offshore environments, a critical factor as Asia Pacific offshore wind projects scale up.
May Lee, Marine Sales Manager APAC at PALFINGER, highlighted the significance of this deployment. “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. This crane combines optimized boom geometry and the innovative Power Link system to deliver higher lifting performance while maintaining a compact design.”
The crane also features PALFINGER’s proprietary PAL40 overload protection system, which addresses the dynamic challenges of offshore lifting. Unlike traditional systems that halt all movements during load fluctuations, PAL40 selectively restricts only functions that increase load moment, enabling safer and more continuous operations. Alexander Lee, Regional Sales Director APAC for Marine at PALFINGER, emphasized the importance of such technologies. “As offshore wind projects continue to expand across Asia, vessel operators are increasingly focused on maximizing uptime, safety, and operational efficiency. Technologies such as PAL40 reflect our commitment to supporting safe and efficient offshore operations.”
Wider context and industry outlook
With over two decades of experience in offshore wind projects globally, PALFINGER provides lifting solutions across the renewable energy value chain, from CTVs to offshore substations. The KWINDS 1 project demonstrates the integration of Korea’s shipbuilding expertise with PALFINGER’s global offshore wind experience, reinforcing the company’s presence in the Asia Pacific region in line with its Strategy 2030+.
PALFINGER will showcase its latest lifting solutions at the Offshore Wind Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition in Yeosu on June 16 and 17. Organized by the Korea Wind Energy Industry Association (KWEIA), the event will provide a platform for PALFINGER to engage with industry stakeholders and highlight its commitment to innovation and long term partnerships in Korea’s offshore wind sector.
