Certification & Design Review for Offshore Lifting and Transport Equipment
Ensure compliance, safety and project acceptance
Offshore wind projects place high demands on lifting and transport equipment. From design review and manufacturing surveillance to load testing and certification, Bureau Veritas provides independent third-party verification throughout the equipment lifecycle, helping you meet applicable requirements and support project acceptance.
We support equipment such as lifting and spreader beams, lifting frames, blade and nacelle lifting tools, transport frames, and other equipment used in offshore wind installation and transport.
WHY CERTIFY YOUR OFFSHORE EQUIPMENT?
Independent certification provides documented evidence that your equipment has been assessed against relevant requirements and standards. It can help you:
- Demonstrate compliance with applicable requirements and standards
- Support safe operations during lifting, transport and installation
- Facilitate project acceptance by OEMs, warranty surveyors and other project stakeholders
- Reduce the risk of delays related to documentation, testing and approvals
- Meet project requirements where independent certification is required
who benefits from certification?
Independent certification creates value across the offshore project supply chain and is particularly relevant for:
- Manufacturers of offshore lifting tools
- Fabricators of transport frames and grillages
- Offshore wind installation contractors
- Marine operations companies
- Project developers and EPC contractors
- OEMs and supply chain partners
OUR services
Bureau Veritas can assist throughout the certification process, from initial design assessment and manufacturing surveillance to testing and final documentation.
Design appraisal |
Independent technical review of designs, calculations and documentation to verify compliance with applicable certification requirements. | |
Manufacturer approval |
Assessment of the manufacturer's quality systems, capabilities and production processes. | |
Manufacturing surveillance |
Independent verification throughout the manufacturing process to ensure approved designs and procedures are followed. | |
Load test witnessing |
Witnessing and verification of load tests for lifting equipment and associated structures. | |
Type approval & release notes |
Issuance of certification documents and release notes in accordance with the applicable certification scheme. |
CERTIFICATION frameworks
The requirements for lifting and transport equipment depend on where and how the equipment will be used. At Bureau Veritas we help clients navigate the requirements and select the certification pathways relevant to their markets and operations. Some of the most common requirements and certification frameworks include:
BSH certification | Germany | |
Bureau Veritas can support these requirements through services such as design appraisal, manufacturer approval, manufacturing surveillance, load test witnessing for lifting equipment and type approval and release notes. This provides the independent verification and documentation needed to support project acceptance in the German offshore wind market. | ||
OSHA certification | USA | |
OSHA requirements create a need for documented evidence that lifting and transport equipment is:
For transport and lifting equipment, Bureau Veritas can support compliance with applicable OSHA requirements through load test witnessing providing documented evidence that equipment has been appropriately tested and supports safe operation and compliance with applicable U.S. requirements. | ||
CG3 certification | international | |
For offshore wind installation projects, lifting equipment is often used under demanding conditions involving vessel movements, dynamic loads and challenging offshore environments. This makes documented testing and independent verification an important part of demonstrating that lifting equipment is fit for its intended use. | ||
Combining certification
Many offshore wind projects require compliance with multiple standards and certification schemes. By planning the certification process correctly, a single activity can often support multiple certification requirements.
For example, if your equipment requires both BSH-related documentation and OSHA compliance verification, it is often possible to combine certification activities. A load test witnessed by a qualified inspector can be structured to satisfy both requirements, eliminating the need for duplicate testing.
Benefits of the combined approach
› Reduced project cost
› Fewer interruptions to manufacturing and testing schedules
› Faster certification process
› Consistent documentation package
› Single load test supporting multiple certification requirements where applicable
FAQ
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Why should I get my lifting equipment certified?
Certification helps demonstrate that lifting and transport equipment meets the relevant safety and performance requirements for its intended use. For offshore wind projects, certification provides assurance that the equipment is suitable for demanding environments and is accepted by key stakeholders such as OEMs, marine warranty surveyors, and marine operations companies.
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Does my company need ISO certification to have its lifting equipment certified?
It depends on the type of certification you are asking for. It is a requirement for BSH that the manufacturer holds ISO 9001, EN1090 and EN3834.
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Can equipment obtain multiple certifications?
Yes, for the same units you can get several certification types by combining the offered services to meet the requirements. For example, load test witnessing is the main requirement for both OSHA and CG3, meaning that with one witnessed Load test, you can achieve both.
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Can one load test support multiple certification requirements?
Yes, in some cases. If the applicable requirements are considered from the beginning, a single load test may be structured to support multiple certification or compliance requirements. This can help reduce duplicate testing, save time and lower project costs. Bureau Veritas can help identify the relevant requirements and plan the testing accordingly.
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When should certification start?
The earlier certification requirements are considered, the easier it is to avoid redesigns, delays and documentation gaps.
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