Project Background
Nordseecluster B (wind farms NC 3 and NC 4, around 900 MW) is the second phase of RWE's 1.6 GW Nordseecluster in the German North Sea. In late March 2026, Germany's Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) granted planning permission for the phase, allowing RWE to move ahead with construction. The monopile foundations — each weighing hundreds of metric tons — demand lifting equipment that combines exceptional strength with corrosion resistance in harsh offshore conditions. Read the official announcement on Windtech International.
The Solution
The pre-shipment fastening of 18 sets of monopiles specified HMPE eye-and-eye round slings (type RH02) with a working load limit (WLL) of 40 t and a safety factor of 7:1 (MBL 280 t), with below-1% elongation under load. liftrue supplied 72 slings in two bearing lengths — 36 pieces of 20.0 m and 36 pieces of 22.76 m — for the lifting and securing of the monopiles before shipment. The non-corrosive, low-stretch properties of HMPE make these slings well suited to prolonged service in marine environments. For a complete specification and procurement framework for offshore lifting, see HMPE Slings: The Complete Procurement Guide for Offshore Projects.
Every sling was individually proof-load tested and certified before delivery, and full traceability documentation was provided with the shipment.
