The Saudi Arabian shipbuilder, Lamprell, has been contracted by Fred. Olsen to construct two special vessels to be used to erect offshore wind turbines. The contract amounts to $320 million and marks the entry of Fred. Olsen into the offshore wind market.
The Norwegian shipping company has carried out this operation through its subsidiary Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, established in the beginning of 2008 to meet the increasing demand for offshore wind turbine installation vessels. Windcarrier’s management has extensive experience from the offshore oil, gas, construction and shipping industry enabling it to bring in new installation solutions to the wind industry which is characterised by its land-based technology.
The vessels, which will be built in Lamprell’s Jebel Ali shipyard in Dubai, are enhanced GustoMSC 9000C designs, meaning self elevating vessels with four jack-up legs and a large installation crane. The design incorporates important features from in-house experience from offshore wind installation and maintenance work, as well as 160 years of maritime history.
“The governing thought throughout the vessel design phase has been to make the vessels as operable and flexible as possible, to perform the required tasks for loading, transporting and erecting wind turbine equipment offshore,” explains Windcarrier in a recent press release. Open deck space and accessibility is achieved, for example, by the 800-tonne crane wrapping around one of the legs, while the operability of a high performance jacking systems designed for fast and frequent jacking operations as required by the wind industry, are vital key words in this respect.
Loads of up to 5,000 tonnes
The 14,000-tonne vessel’s crane can support loads of up to 5,000 tonnes, and its motors will propel it to speeds of 12 knots and also provide it will a Dynamic Positioning System (DPII). The vessel will sport a helipad and accommodation for up to 80 workers.
”We are confident that the vessels and their optimised design will contribute to a considerably more efficient installation process for offshore wind turbines,” says Tor Erik Andreassen, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Windcarrier. “The technical solutions custom designed for the wind industry, providing a wider weather window, will extend the operability, greatly reduce installation time, limit the need for many other vessels and hence reduce overall installation costs.”
Windcarrier has decided to construct the two vessels due to the sharp rise in interest in offshore wind and despite the fact it has not yet entered into any wind turbine installation agreements. According to several press sources, the company claims however that several prospective customers have shown an interest in its services.
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